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iM 




NEW DISCOVERY 

OF A 

VAST COUNTRY 

IN AMERICA 

By Father Louis Hennepin 

Reprinted from the second London issue of i6g8^ with facsimiles 

of original title-pages^ maps, and illustrations, and the 

addition of Introduction, Notes, and Index 

By Reuben Gold Thwaites 

Editor of^^ The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents " 



Jn Ctoo I^olume0 

Volume II 

(Being Part II of the original) 



CHICAGO 

A. C. McCLURG & CO. 

1903 



TH? Ut^NArtY Of 

<ittl«QBEB8, 
Two 60i»l«* Ri:gKiveC> 

CtASS C»-XXft: No. 



COPY a, * 



Copyright 

A. C. McCLURG & CO. 
1903 

Published October 3, 1903 



V> 



Composition by The Dial Press, Chicago. 

Press^vork by John IVilson & Son, 
University Press, Cambridge, Mass., U. S. A 



CONTENTS OF VOLUME II 

PAGE 

Hennepin's "A New Discovery" — Part II 

Title-page, "A Continuation of the New Discovery " 

(facsimile of original) ..... 355 

Dedication to King William III ... . 357 

Preface 363 

The Contents 377 

A Voyage into a Newly Difcover'd Country . 383 
An Account of feveral New Difcoveries . .621 

Postscript 673 

Index — The Editor 675 



ILLUSTRATIONS— VOLUME II 



(FACSIMILES OF ORIGINALS) 

"A Map of A New World " 

" The Unfortunate Adventures of Mons*" 

la Salle " 

" The Murther of Mons^ de la Salle " 
" The Cruelty of The Savage Iroquois " 
" The Taking of Quebec by The English " 



de 



PAGE 

Frontispiece 

facing 372 

. " 424 

. " 504 

. " 588 



A 

CONTINUATION, 

OF THE 

New Diicovery 



O F A 


Fafi Country in America^ 


Extending above Four Thouland Allies, 


BETWEEN 


New France andNcw Mexico^ 


Givigg an 


ACCOUNT 


OF THE 



Attempts of the Sieur tela SALLE upon the 
Mines of St. Barbe, &c. The Taking of 
Quebec by the EngUpo ; With the Advantages 
of a Shorter Cut to China and Japn. 

By L. Hennef.n^ now Refident in Holland. 



To which are added. Several Nevs) Dlfcovcriex in North* 
Amerlcci^ nor publiih'd in the French Edition. 

LONDON, Printed for M. Bent ley, J. Tonfon, . 
H. Bonmcky T. Goodm\ and 5". ht^.njhip. 1 698. j 



[iii] To His Majefty 

William III. 

By the Grace of God 

King of Great Britain. 

SIR, 

HIS Cathollck Majefty, His Eledoral Highnefs oi Bava- 
ria, and the Superiors of my Order having given me 
leave to come into thefe happy Provinces, according to Your 
Majefty's diredtlon, to publifti the Difcoveries I have made 
in America ; [iv] and Your Majefty having been gracloufly 
pleafed to accept my firft Volume, I make bold to offer You 
alfo this Second Part ; wherein I Infert the Travels of a 
Gentleman whom I have accompanied feveral Years, and 
whofe violent Death, by the Hands of his own Men, dlfap- 
pointed the great Defigns he had formed upon the Mines 
of St. Barbe in New Mexico} The Obfervations I make upon 
his Voyage will fhew unto Pofterity, that a Man muft never 
be ungratefuU to his Friends, nor revenge himfelf of his 
Enemies, but as much as it concerns the PubHck Good, 
which ought always to prevail upon the private Intereft. 
This is a Charadter peculiar to the Illuftrious Houfe of 

^ Referring to La Salle, and to his murder in 1687. — Ed. 



35^ The Dedication, 

Najfau, who has formerly fill'd the Roman Imperial Throne,^ 
and who is now cloathed in Your Majefty's Perfon with a 
Royal Power over Three great Kingdoms, and [v] other 
large Dominions which form the Britifli Empire. 

All the World agrees, that Nature and Grace have happily 
confpir'd to unite in Your Sacred Perfon all the Chriftian, 
Political and Military Virtue of Your Renowned Anceflors. 
The great Elevation of Your Genius^ which has manifefted it 
felf by Your noble and generous Defigns ; Your Generofity 
and Liberality fo worthy of Your Illuflrious Birth ; Your 
noble Inclination to do good to all Men, even to Your 
Enemies themfelves, and the unparallell'd Conftancy and 
greatnefs of Soul v>^hich You have exprefs'd in the greateft 
Adverfities, the true Touchftone of true Merit, are fo con- 
fpicuous, that every one is convinc'd of Your Majefty's 
Magnanimity, Valour, Juftice, Equity, Sincerity and Piety. 

Your Majefty fignaliz'd the Love You had for Your own 
Country, when [vi] You took the Command of the Armies 
of the States General againft a powerfull and viAorious Con- 
querour, whom Your Majefty forced to abandon almoft in 
one Day th6 Conqueft he had made in the united Provinces. 
All the World admir'd Your Valour, and more ftill Your 
unparallell'd Prudence, which no body expe6led in fuch a 
degree from a Prince of Three and twenty Years of Age. 

^ An allusion to the Holy Roman Empire, which was founded by Charlemagne 
in the year 800, and was long the temporal arm of the Roman See, throughout 
Catholic Europe. Its last head was Francis II, who on Aug. 6, i8c6, resigned this 
imperial dignity, confining his sway to his own hereditary dominion of Austria. The 
emperor referred to by Hennepin was Adolph, count of Nassau, who reigned as head 
of the Roman Empire from 1292 to 1298, — Ed, 



The Dedication, 359 

Never Prince was more mafter of that nice Art of foft- 
ening the different Tempers of Nations, managing their dif- 
ferent Intereft, giving Life to their Refolutions, and there- 
fore no Prince had been able hitherto to form and cement 
fuch an Alliance as we fee at this Day for the fafety of 
Europe. Thofe great Qualities and incomparable Virtues 
make Your Majefty the Darhng of Your People and the 
Terror of Your Enemies, and keep Rebels and Fadtious men 
in awe, when Your Majefty's [vii] abfence out of Your own 
Kingdom.s feems to give them a fair Opportunity to difturb 
the Tranquility of Great Britain : As You afcended the 
Throne without any effufion of Blood, God, whofe Glory 
has been always Your chiefeft Care, having been pleafed to 
crown with a glorious and unexpedled Succefs, the Equity 
of Your Intentions, fo Mercy and Clemency have been ever 
fince the Bafis of it, notwithftanding the many repeated Pro- 
vocations of ill-difpofed Perfons, whofe Obftinacy deferv'd 
to be punifh'd. 

The Confederate Princes having chofen Your Majefty for 
their Generalijfinio^ and given proof in their choice both of 
the Refpedl and Truft they have in Your Majefty, nothing 
feems wanting to compleat Your Glory but to procure to 
Europe a folid and lafting Peace, which we hope is near at 
hand, and which will fhew Your Majefty's incomparable Pru- 
dence and Wifdom, as [viii] the management of the War 
has fhown Your Valour and Magnanimity. The fo much 
admir'd Prudence of Cafar, and the Valour of Alexander ^ 
come very fhort of what Your Majefty has already exprefs'd. 



360 The Dedication, 

and all impartial Men will agree, that Your Majefty has 
exceeded the moft famous Heroes mentioned in Hiftory ; 
but I muft leave off this Subjedl for fear of offending Your 
Modejiy, which is an infeparable Companion of all great Souls. 

I muft beg Your Majefty's Pardon for the Liberty I take 
to complain againft fome Inhabitants of this City of Utrecht, 
who, though of the fame Religion as I am, endeavour to 
render me odious, becaufe, being a Francifcan, I have dedi- 
cated to Your Majefty two Volumes of the Difcovery I have 
made in America. They ought to know that I have done 
nothing but by Your Majefty's Permiflion and that of the 
States, and therefore they [ix] have not a due refpedl for 
Your Sacred Majefty and their High and Mightineffes. I 
hope thofe very Perfons will acknowledge one time or other 
their miftake and the fincerity of my Intentions, which are 
fuch, that I may confidently fay, I propofe nothing to my 
felf but the Glory of God, and to find out, under Your 
Majefty's Protedlion, a Paffage into China and Japan without 
crofling twice the Line, which the EngUfli and Dutch have fo 
often vainly attempted, through the Frozen Sea : I hope. Sir, 
through the Afliftance of God, and the Favour of Your 
Majefty, to fucceed in my Defign, and difcover it before the 
end of this Age. 

By thefe means a great many Barbarous Nations will be 
brought to the knowledge of the true God and their Redeemer 
Jefus Chrift, which I am fure is a fufficient motive for Your 
Majefty to give all Incouragement for this Undertaking ; for 
being convinc'd of [x] Your Majefty's Piety, I need not ufe 



The Dedication, 361 

for an Argument the Temporal Advantages, that will accrue 
thereby to Your Kingdoms. 

That God be pleafed to blefs Your Majefty with all forts 
of Profperities, Your Undertakings with a glorious Succefs, 
and Your Subjeds with an everlafting Felicity, is and will 
always be the Prayer of, 

SIR, 

Tour Majejiy's moft Humble 

and moft Obedient Servant, 

F. Lewis Hennepin, 

MiJJionary Recollect and Notary Apoftolick. 



[xi] THE 

PREFACE. 

I NEED not make a long Preface to this Book^ the Subject Matter 
thereof is able to recommend it felf to the perufal of all Inquifi- 
tive Readers. The Worlds tho' iinjufl in mofl cafes^ do however 
Juflice to Travellers, and the Accounts of their Voyages meet, gen- 
erally fpeaking, with a more favourable Reception than any other 
Performances. This is a kind of Reward to Travellers for the un- 
fpeakable Fatigues they have fuffer'd. Notwithfiajtding I have not 
travelled through Polite Nations, nor feen any wonderfull Edifices 
in the Countries I have difcovered, I have met with that Reward ; 
the Defcription of the Cabins of Reeds and Rufhes, which are the 
Habitations of above 200 Nations unknown before me, have been 
as acceptable to Ingenious Readers as the Defcription of their noble 
Palaces and Temples of China in fome other Authors. My De- 
fcription of Loulfiania was printed feveral times, and the [xii] late 
Volume I publifhed has met with fuch a Reception, that I may 
prefume this will have the fame fate. And really the Difcovery of 
200 different Nations unknown hitherto to the Europeans is, one 
would think, a fit Subje^ to excite any one's Curiofity. 

I would therefore break off my Preface in this place, were I 
not obliged to anfwer fome falfe Accufations my Enemies have 
raifed againfl me, and becaufe I am in a Religious Order, I think 
fit to begin with inferting two Atteftations or Certificates of Fathers 



364 The PREFACE. 

of my own Order, which will prevent fame further Calumnies on 
that Point. 

I UNDERWRITTEN certify to have read and examined a 
Book entituled, A Defcription of Loiiifiana, newly difcov- 
ered to the South-wejl of New France, with an Account of the 
Manners of the Savages of that Country, written by Father 
Hennepin a Recolledl Preacher, and Apoftolick Miffionary, 
and to have found nothing therein contrary to Faith or 
good Manners, but that on the contrary, the faid Book con- 
tains many Reflections and Remarks, which may be of great 
ufe for the Converfion of the Savages, and the Advantages 
of the Kingdom. Given at our Co[n]vent of Recolledls in 

Paris, December 13, 1682. ^ ^ , tt r c, • n- 

p. Lelaree Harveau LeStor m Di- 
vinity, Father Provincial and Cufios 
of the Recolle^s of the Province of 
r^jlj-i St. Denys in France. 

I HAVE read a book entituled, A Defcription of Louifiana, 
newly difcovered to the South-weft of New France, with an 
Account of the Manners of the Savages of that Country, in 
which I have found nothing but what is conformable to the 
Faith of the Catholick, Apoftolick and Roman Church, the 
Laws of the Kingdom, and good Manners ; and it may be 
very ufefuU towards eftablifhing the Faith of Jefus Chrifl in 
that new World, and extending the Empire of our Monarch 
in that fertile and delicious Country. Given at St. Germain 
en Laye in our Co[n]vent of Recolleds, December 14, 1682. 

F. Innocent Micault Definitor of the 
Recollects of the Province of St. 
Denys in France, and General 
Commiffioner in the Province of 
Recollects of St. Anthony in Artois. 



The PREFACE. 365 

Having premifed thefe two Certificates^ I come now to anjwer 
the Obje^ions my Enemies urge againft me. 

I. How, fay they, can a Franclfcan, and confequently a Prieft 
of the Church of Rome, follicit a Proteflant Prince to fend him to 
preach the Gofpel unto the Ignorant Nations he has difcoveredf 
For is it not more reafonable to think, that that Monarch will rather 
convert that People to his own Religion, than fuffer Catholick 
Miffionaries [xiv] to convert them to the Church of Rome ? What 
Opinion then ought Men to have of the Religion of Father Hen- 
nepin? This is the chief Argument infifled on by my Enemies to 
make me odious to thofe of my Religion, or rather to the ignorant 
part of it; but I may eafily confute that filly Calumny : For in the 
firfi place. His Majefly of Great Britain has not exacted nor de- 
manded any Promife of me, when He was pleafed to admit me into 
His Service, that may be direBly or indirectly contrary to my Religion. 
Thefe Bigots ought by the fame reafon to cenfure the Emperor, the 
King of Spain, the Ele^ors of the Empire, and Bipiops of Liege, 
Munfter, 6fc. who are entred into fo ftri5l an Alliance with His 
Majefiy of Great Britain, and conclude from thence, that thofe 
Catholick Princes have formed fome Defiign againft the Catholick 
Religion. But fuppofing that the Englifh convert thofe numerous 
Nations to their Religion, and that I contribute fomething to it, am 
I for all that to be blamed? I hope no body will fay fo, unlefs it be 
thofe morofe Bigots, who think that the ignorant Americans who 
worfhip the Devil, or any other Creature, are nearer to the King- 
dom of God than Pi'oteftants who worfhip the fame God as we, hope 
in the fame Redeemer, and are feparated from us only upon fome 
points ; which Opinion I look upon as a Frenzy worthy of my Com- 



366 The PREFACE. 

pajfion, and not of a Reply. But who told them that the Catholick 
Faith cannot be preached under the Protection of King William, or 
the States General? Thofe who cenfure me, enjoy their Religion 
[xv] under that very Protection, and the Reader will find at the 
latter end of this Volume, what offers the English made to our 
Recollects in America. But let them fay what they pleafe, I have 
the Approbation of His Catholick Majefly, the EleCtor of Bavaria, 
and the permiffion of the Superiors of my Order. 

2. Some others think that I impofe upon them in the Account 
I give of the courfe of the Mefchafipi, and that it is not poffible I 
fnould have travelled in fo fhort a time from its Mouth to its Source. 
To thefe I reply, that they are not acquainted with Canous made 
of Bark of Trees, which are fo light that one may travel 20, 25, 
and in cafe of need 30 Leagues in a Day againfl the Stream of 
a River, whereas by my Account it does not come to Ten in a Day. 
But if one follows the Stream, as we did from the River of the 
Illinois to the Mouth of the Mefchafipi, the fwiftnefs is fo great, 
that I am fure we fpent twice more than was requir'd. 

3. When wicked and malicious Perfons confpire the Ruin of a 
Man they hate, or elfe who gives them fome umbrage, they make 
ufe of all Artifices ; therefore my Enemies being afraid, that the 
publifhing of my Difcoveries may prejudice their Interefl, they have 
done their utmoft to diffwade the Bookfellers of this City of Utrecht 
from printing my Books ; infinuating, that this was but a Repetition 
of my Defcription of Louifiana publi/Iied many Tears agoe, and 
tranflated, as they fay, into Dutch ; but really this is very imperti- 
nent ; for my Louifiana contains not 20 Sheets, and how is it [xvi] 
poffible that the AbfiraCl of it fliould contain 50 ? 'Tis true, I repeat 



The PREFACE. 367 

fomefew things I ptiblijhed therty becaufe otherwife I had been unin- 
telligible ^ but moft commonly I refer the Reader to that Book, which 
certainly I would not have done, if this lajl were nothing but the 
Repetition of the former. But I would ask thefe Gentlemen, whe- 
ther they have found in the Defcription of Louifiana, any Account 
of the Courfe of the Mefchafipi from the River of the Illinois into 
the Gulph of Mexico ; nor the Account of Mr. de la Salle'j unfor- 
tunate Travels, with my Additions, and many other things : And 
as there is no body fo impudent to fay they have, they confute them- 
felves, and mufl own, that thefe two Books I have dedicated to His 
Majejly were not printed before. I have however the Comfort that 
they don't accufe me to have robb'd others ; the Louifiana was my 
own Work, and I think I may be as free to borrow fomething from 
it in cafe of need, as others have done. 

4. A Learned Man has obferv'd in a very civil manner, that 
I have faid that I have fpent about 1 1 Years in my Difcovery, 
and yet it does not appear by my Account of it that I have been fo 
long ; but he mufl obferve, that when I fay Eleven Tears, I reckon 
from the time that I fet out from Flanders, which was jufl after the 
Battel of Seneflf, where I was in great danger of my life, to the 
fecond Edition of my Defcription of Louifiana, which was in 1688 ; 
and therefore I might have faid Fourteen Tears injlead of Eleven ; 
for [xvii] / have been all that while about it, either in Europe 
or America. 

5. Some other peevifh Criticks urge, that when I fay that the 
of Savages of Iffati call the Sun Louis, / defigned to flatter the King 
France ; but this is a foolifli Suggeflion, and a far fetched Flattery, 
the name of Louis being common to the King and the meanefl of 



368 The PREFACE. 

his Subjects ; therefore I repeat^ how that having liv'd a confid- 
erable time in the Family of Aquipaguetin, one of the chief of the 
Iffati, and learned their Language, I was ajfured, that they call 
the Sun by no other name than Louis, and the Moon Louis 
Bafetche, that is the Sun of the Night. 

6. Others having no Objection to make, tells us, That I relate 
nothing extraordinary ; but in the name of Wonder, what will this 
People have ? For if the Defcription of 4 or ^ Lakes, or rather 
Fre/h-waterSeas,fome of which are in circuit 4, 5 and 'joo Leagues, 
upon which we failed with a Ship of 60 Tuns for 500 Leagues 
together, to the great amazement of the Savages, who had never feen 
the like, nor heard the noife of Cannon : If the Defcription of the 
fall o/Ni[a]gara, which is one of the mofl fur prizing things in the 
World, the Water falling from above 700 Foot high : If the Dif- 
covery of 200 different Nations unknown before, and of whom no 
Traveller had made mention ; if all thefe things, I fay, with the 
Defcription of that delicious Country, does not feem extraordinary, 
I don't know what will feem fuch to thofe Gentlemen. I relate what 
I have feen, and [xviii] really I lie under no temptation to forge 
any furprizing Difcovery to recommend my Book, the real things I 
have obferv'd being worthy of the Confideration of all ingenious 
Men. 

7. Such who have not travelled, nor read many Accounts of 
Voyages, are very apt to blame what they don't underfland, and 
therefore laugh when one tells them of a new difcovered Country 
larger than Europe, /or they fancy there can be no fuch thing ; and 
when they talk of Canada, they talk of it as if it were no larger 
than a Principality in Germany ; but Men of Parts and Reading 



The PREFACE. 369 

are of another Opinion : I have dernonftrated that Canada is about 
700 Leagues long, and that the Coaft of the River St. Laurence, 
which I have furvey'd from its Mouth to the great Lake from 
which it fprings is near 800 Leagues long. I fay the fame thing 
of the incomparable River Mefchafipl, which is larger and bigger 
than the former ; and to fhew the probability of the things I have 
fet down in the general Map of my Difcovery the Courfe of the 
River of the Amazons, in the Southern America, which is efleemed 
much the fame, though in my Opinion the Mefchafipi and the River 
St. Laurence have a longer Courfe. From the Courfe of thefe 
Rivers, and the Extent of the Lakes, I conclude that the Continent 
I have difcovered is larger than Europe, which might in time 
form one of the greatefi Empires in the World. 

I intend to defcribe in this Volume thofe Countries, to treat of 
the nature of their Soil, and of [xlx] the Cufloms, Manners, and 
Genius of the Inhabitants ; and what fort of Trades may be fettled 
in thofe Parts ; therefore I thought fit to add an AbflraEl of the 
Voyage Mr. de la Salle made thither after me. The whole is 
divided into Chapters, according to the Method I followed in the 
Firfl Part. 

I defign the latter end of my Book to treat of the few Conver- 
fions our Miffionaries have wrought in Canada, notwithflanding 
their Zeal and indefatigable Labours, which ought to make us thank- 
full towards God, who out of his infinite kindnefs has been pleafed 
to blefs us with his Knowledge, whilfl fo many thoufands of our 
fellow Creatures are wholly left to themfelves, without any Know- 
ledge of God. I am however fully convinced, that the Savages 

inhabiting the Banks of the Mefchafipi will be more fucceptible and 
11-2 



370 The PREFACE. 

capable of embracing our Holy Religion^ becaufe they are not fo 
fierce, than the Savages of the North, who are commonly Cruel and 
Obflinate. 

To make this Volume more iifefull, I have made fome Reflexions 
on Mr. de la Salle'j lafl Voyage, becaufe I was better acquainted 
with thofe vafl Countries than Father Chriftian le Clercqz,^ 
Definitor of our Recollects of the Province of Artois, who has pub- 
lijhed an Account of it. I have a great efteem for that Father, and 
was always his Friend, and miift own, that he has given a good 
Account of Canada, and Gafpefia ; but at the fajne time I muft fay, 
that the Account he gives of the Inhabitants of Louifiana and about 
the Mefchafipi is not to [xx] be rely'd upon, for he never was 
within 1200 Leagues of that Country. Gafpee in Accadia, and 
Quebec, the neareft places where he has been, being above that 
diftance. 'Tis true, the Diary of my Difcovery, of which I gave a 
Copy to Father Valentin le Roux, as I have obferved in my firft 
Volume, was communicated unto him, as alfo fome Memoirs of 
Father Zenobe Mambre, who remained among the Illinois, while 
I was fent to difcover the Courfe of the Mefchafipi ; and fo far 
Father le Clercqz is right, but his Additions are not of the fame 
Coyn. I do not wonder that he fhould commend fo much Father 

1 Chrestien le Clercq was a missionary in Gaspe from 1675 to 1689, and wrote an 
account of his labors tiiere — Relation de la Gaspesie (Paris, 1691). In i68i he went 
to France, and returned to Canada in the following year, commissioned by his supe- 
riors to establish a Recollet residence at Montreal. In 1690 he was recalled to France. 
Hennepin here refers to Le Clercq's other book, which we have often cited, Premier 
Etablissement de la Foy dans la Nowvelle France (Paris, 1691), which gives full 
accounts of La Salle's voyages. 

The final " z " in Le Clercq's name, as here given, is doubtless an error of the 
English printer, arising from either some flourish at the end of " q," or the contrac- 
tion for " ue " (0), often used in early French MSS. — Ed. 



The PREFACE. 371 

Mambre, who zvas his own Coufin^ and a very good Man befides. 
JVe travelled together as far as Fort CreveccEur mentioned in my 
firft Volume^ where I left him among the Illinois, and have been 
always good Friends. After his return from America he came to 
fee me in our Co\_n~\vent 0/ Chateau Cambrefis [Cambray], and 
told me, he was going again into America with Mr. de la Salle, 
and that he expelled he fhould have an Opportunity to make more 
exa5l Obfervations on the Mefchafipi than thofe I had done in the 
Tear 1680, becaufe Mr. de la Salle defigned to undertake that 
Voyage with fuch a number of Men as to fear nothing from the 
Infults of the Savages. But if I do not blame Father le Clercqz 
for the honourable mention he makes of his Relation, I think every 
body will condemn him for his concealing the name of the Author he 
has tranfcrib'd, and thereby attributing to himfelf the glory of my 
perilous Voyage.^ This [xxi] piece of Injufiice is common enough 
in this Age. 

Mr. de la Salle undertook to go down the Mefchafipi from 
the River of the Illinois in the Tear 1682, that is, two Tears after 
me, which was the fource and caufe of his Animofity againfl me, 
and of the rigorous Orders they obtained from the Court of France, 
to command me to depart the Dominions of the French King, upon 



^This aspersion is hardly justified by Le Ciercq's own words; he says (Shea's 
translation oi Etablissement de la Foy, ii, pp. 125, 128, 129): " Father Louis . . , 
has published the description of the countries which he visited, and into which he 
carried the Gospel. I, therefore, must refer my reader to it without repeating any part 
of it here. ... As I continue the account of a discovery in which Father Zenobius 
[Membre] took a considerable part and was constantly present, and as we derive from 
his letters the chief information we can have about it ... it corresponds with many 
fragments which we have of the Sieur de la Salle, and the testimony of Frenchmen and 
Indians who accompanied them." — Ed. 



372 The PREFACE. 

pretence that I was a Subject of the King of Spain, as I have 
mentioned in my Preface to my firfl Volume. This Order, as I 
may prefume to fay fo, was as contrary to the Rule of Juflice, as of 
Politicks, for they might very well forefee that I fhould acquaint 
fome perfon or other with my Difcoveries, and crofs thereby their 
Defigns. 

From thefe Obfervations it is plain, that as I was the firfl 
European who difcovered the Courfe of the Mefchafipi, and the 
delicious Country about it; fo all others have feen nothing but what 
I had feen before, and have related nothing material, but what 
they have abflra^led out of the Copy of the Journal of my Voyage 
which I gave to Father Valentin le Roux, and was by him com- 
municated to Father Hyacinth le Fevre. 

Mr. de la Salle had begun a Settlement in the Ifland of 
Montreal in Canada, zvhich is 25 Leagues about, and this fmall 
Colony is fo much improv'd as to be now a great and populous 
Village.^ They call it China, becaufe while Mr. de la Salle lived 
there, and began the Settlement, he fpoke very often of the Mines 
of St. Barbe, and faid, that as foon as he had taken thofe Mines, 
he would go [xxli] into China and Japan without croffing the Line, 
and to that end, find a Paffage into the South-Sea. This was the 
chief SuhjeB of our Converfations, and as the Difcoveries I have 
made cannot be far from the Pacifick Sea, / don't queftion but 
Mr. de la Salle, whofe great Courage was proof againfi all Diffi- 
culties and Misfortunes, would have fucceeded in his Defign. 



^ The village of La Chine. Hennepin exaggerates its growth; for the official 
census of October, 1698, gives the total population of Lachine, Bout de I'lsle, and 
Riviere St. Pierre as but 270 souls (including children). — Ed. 




T^hc lifiJcrhmatd aJi>e7tiur£j (^ TftoTtsf d£ la Sa/lc . 



The PREFACE. 373 

Thofc who are skill'd in Geography have long agoe fufpe5fed 
that Japan is contiguous to the Lands of the Northern America ; 
and the Learned Grsevius,^/o well known in the Commonwealth of 
Learnings having carefully examined our Difcovery, was pleafed 
to tell me very lately in a meeting of Vertuofi, in this City of 
Utrecht, That he was of my Opinion^ and did not think that 
Japan was an Ifland^ as it is commonly f aid ^ but that it joyns with 
the large Country I had difcovered. 

I have made ufe of a proof in my lafl Volume^ Chapter 37, 
which I crave leave to repeat in this place^ becaufe it is a Matter 
of Fa3l: While I was amongft the Iffati and Nadoueffans there 
came an Embaffy of Savages from a very remote Nation to the 
Weftward. / was in the Cabin when my Fofler Father Aqui- 
paguetin (for he had adopted me his Son) gave them Audience^ 
and having asked them fome Queflions by an Interpreter^ they told 
me that they came from a remote Country to the Weftward, that 
they had marched 3 Moons, (that is, Months) without meeting 
with any Lafa, that is in their meaning, the Seas ; which certainly 
[xxiii] could not be true, was there any fuch a thing as the Streight 
of Agnian fet down in moji of our Mapps. 

The Englifh and Dutch have in vain attempted to find out a 
Paffage to China and Japan through the Frozen-Sea, but if they 
are pleafed to fend me about it, I am confident that I /hall find 
fome great River running into the Pacifick-Sea, whereby, and by 
means of the Mefchafipi, it will be eafie to trade and have Com- 



^ Joannes G. Graef (Latinized, Graevius) , a German philologist and archaeologist, 
professor in the university of Utrecht (where he died in 1703), and author of numer- 
ous books. — Ed. 



374 The PREFACE. 

munkation with China and Japan without c7'oj[fing twice the Line: 
and loftng abundance of Men. 

I am jo fully convinced of what I fay^ that I am willing to 
return into America to fliew the Way unto others; fome will blame 
me for this rajh Undertakings but why jhould I have lefs Zeal for 
the Service of God than thofe Pious Recollects who ventured into 
the Kingdom of Voxu in the Eaftern part 0/ Japan, and converted 
the King thereof to the Knowledge of God. That Prince was fo 
Zealous for the true Religion^ that he burnt 800 Idols^ and fent an 
Ambaffador into Europe with a Retinue of 100 Gentlemen. They 
embarked 06lober 28. 161 3, and arrived in Spain November 
10. 1 614, being conduced by Father Lewis Sotello a Recollect, 
who prefented the faid Ambafdor to his Catholick Majefly^ and 
afterwards to the Pope, whom he affured, that the King his Majler 
and mofl of his Subjects had renounced their Idolatry and embraced 
the Chriflian Religion. The Reader will forgive me if I relate 
two or three things more for the Honour of my Order.^ The 
[xxiv] Francifcans were the jirfi who accompanied Chriftopher 
Columbus into his newly difcovered Country, and had the Honour 
to preach jirfl of all the Knowledge of God to the Indians. The 
Conquejl of the Spaniards arrived to the highefl pitch in the Tears 
1540 and 1 541, and yet no other Religious Order had been em- 
ployed to bring thofe lofl Sheep into the Flock of the Lord, and they 
alone had converted a great part of the Subjects of the King of 

^The Franciscan order (also called Gray Friars, and Friars Minor) was founded 
in 1209, by St. Francis d'Assisi. Not long after his death, his order numbered 
200,000 priests and 8,000 convents. The Recollets were an offshoot from the Fran- 
ciscans (about 1531). — Ed. 



The PREFACE. 375 

Japan unto the Chriftian Faith : So that having thofe great Models 
before me^ I may fay^ that I long to make an end of my Difcovery. 

That jhort paffage into China, would, I think, prove as ad- 
vantageous to Europe, as any Difcovery that has been yet made ; 
and this is another great Encouragement for me, for what greater 
fatisfa5lion can a rational Being propofe to himfelf, than to do good 
to Mankind, and find out fomething ufefull to his Country ? Hav- 
ing therefore all Power and Patents neceffary for my Mifjion, I 
am ready for that great Voyage, and I hope, through the Grace 
of God to be able to go through that Difcovery, and thereby con- 
vince the World of the Equity of my Intentions. 

The Reader may obferve, that the Settlements that fhall be made 
in that Country will abfolutely be managed by Laicks, and that 
fuppofing the Francifcans fliould be employ'd 500 Tears about the 
Converfion of the Natives, they fliould not have there an inch of 
Land to themfelves, it being againfl the Laws of their Order ; 
whereas in fome other Countries, where another Order has got a 
[xxv] footing, they are Maflers now of the Temporal as well 
as the Spiritual, the befl Lordfhips and Manners [Manors] be- 
longing to them. How they have difcharged their Spiritual Func- 
tion, I don't know, but fure I am, they have taken a great care of 
their Temporal Intereft, as I intend to fhew in a third Volume, 
which I fhall publifh in this City of Utrecht, if it is thought 
convenient. 

I fhould have a fair opportunity to avenge my felf in this 
Preface of certain Perfons of this very Town, who have afperfed 
me with the utmofl Malice, and kept for their own ufe the Money 



376 The PREFACE. 

/ had received from his Majefty of Great Britain, and which I 
advanced to them for my Subfiflence. This is a very foul A5lion^ 
and worthy to be publickly taken notice of ; but my Religion teach- 
ing me to forgive my Enemies, I follow that Precept, and do 
heartily forgive them. 



THE 

contents; 

CHAP. I. 

An Account of M. de la Salle'j Undertaking to difcover the River 
Mefchafipi by the Giilph of Mexico, and his eflablifhing a 
fmall Colony at the Bay of St. Lewis, p. i 

CHAP. II. 

An Account of feveral Misfortunes that befell M. de la Salle at 
the Bay of St. Lewis, p. 9 

CHAP. III. 

A Continuation of the Misfortunes of M. de la Salle, with an 

Account of two Voyages he undertook to find out the Country of 

the Illinois, p. 16 

CHAP. IV. 

A Continuation of M. de la Salle'i Voyage and Difcovery, and 

how he was received by the Savages Cenis, p. 22 

[xxvii] CHAP. V. 
A fhort Defcription of Fort Lewis, of its advantageous Situation, 
and of the Fertility of the Country about it, p. 28 

CHAP. VL 

An Account of M. de la Salle'j fecond Voyage from the Bay of St. 
Lewis to the Illinois, p. 30 

^ The page numbers herein given refer to the original pagination, indicated in the 
text by bracketed numerals. — Ed. 



378 The CONTENTS. 

CHAP. VII. 

M. de la Salle and three more are unfortunately murther'd by fame 
of their own Party. p. 33 

CHAP. VIII. 

The Author's Reflexions upon the Life and Death of M. de la Salle, 
whofe Murtherers kill'd one another. p. 36 

CHAP. IX. 

The Cenis permit M. Cavelier the Priefl, and Father Anaftafius, 

with their Company, to continue their Journey through feveral 

barbarous Nations. P- 41 

CHAP. X. 

The Voyage of the Sieur Cavelier a Priefl, and Father Anaftafius 

a Recoiled in a Pyrogue to [xxviii] the Illinois, and feveral 

Obfervations concerning their Return. p. 46 

CHAP. XL 

Reflexions of the Author on the Voyage to China; on the Belief of 
mofl of the Savages of North America concerning the Creation 
of the World, and the Immortality of the Soul, p. 52 

CHAP. XII. 

Of the mofl proper means to convert the Savages; who thofe are 
to whom the Miffionaries ought to refufe or adminifler Baptifm, 

p. 60 
CHAP. XIII. 

The Barbarians of the Northern America don't acknowledge a 
God. Of the pretended Souls of Terreflrial Animals, p. 6^ 

CHAP. XIV. 

Of the great difficulties in converting the Savages : of the Prayers 
they get by Rote, and of Martyrdom, p. 69 



The CONTENTS. 379 

CHAP. XV. 

The manner of Feafting among the Savages, P- 7i 

[xxix] CHAP. XVI. 

Of the manner of adopting the Europeans amongfl the Savages, 

P- 74 
CHAP. XVII. 

Of the Marriages of the Savages in North America, p. 77 

CHAP. XVIII. 

Of the Remedies which the Savages adminifier to the Sick : they 
have Mountebanks among them; their Opinion of Infant- 
Baptifm when the Author liv'd there, p. 82 

CHAP. XIX. 

Of the Conflitiition or Temper of the Savages. p. 85 

CHAP. XX. 

Defcription of the Savages that go naked, and thofe that do not, 

p. 88 
CHAP. XXI. 
Of the Games, and Sports of the Savages, ?• 91 

CHAP. XXII. 

The manner of making War among the Savages, [xxx] they are 
very much given to Revenge, p. 94 

CHAP. XXIII. 

Of the Cruelty of the Savages in general, and particularly of the 
Iroquois, p. 98 

CHAP. XXIV. 
Of the Policy of the Savage Iroquois, p. 103 



38o The CONTENTS. 

CHAP. XXV. 

Of the manner of the Savages hunting of all forts of wild Beajls, 
and of the admirable Induftry of the Cajlors or Beavers^ p. 104 

CHAP. XXVI. 

Of their manner of fifhing, p. 109 

CHAP. XXVII. 

Of the Utenfils of the Savages in their Cabbins, and of their extraor- 
dinary manner they flrike Fire, p. 112 

CHAP. XXVIII. 

Of the manner of their interring their dead ; of the Feflival of the 
dead, with fome Refle£lions concerning the Immortality of the 
Soul, P« 115 

[xxxi] CHAP. XXIX. 
Of the Superflitions of the Savages, and of the ridiculous things 
they believe, p. 119 

CHAP. XXX. 
Of the Obflacles that are found in the Converfion of the Sav- 
ages, p. 123 
CHAP. XXXI. 
Of the barbarous and uncivil Manners of the Savages, p. 128 

CHAP. XXXII. 

Of the great Indifferency of the humours of the Savages, p. 123 

CHAP. XXXIII 

Of the Beauty and Fertility of the Country of the Savages, that 
powerfull Colonies may be eafily planted on the North and 
South, p. 134 



The CONTENTS. 381 

CHAP. XXXIV. 

Of the Method of the Savages in their Councils^ againfl their 
Enemies, and their Cruelty againfl the Europeans, and how 
a flop may be put to them, p. 142 

[xxxii] CHAP. XXXV. 
Of the proper Method to eflahlifh good Colonies; Thoughts and 
Opinion of the Savages concerning Heaven and Earth, p. 148 

CHAP. XXXVI. 

The Hiflory of the Irruption which the Englifh made into Canada 

in the year 1628; the taking of Quebec the Metropolis of 

Canada in 1629, the mofl honourable Treatment they gave the 

Recolle^s, p. 161 

CHAP. XXXVII. 

How the Religious of St. Francis in their MiJJions through the 
habitable World have been before the Jefuits, p. 195 

CHAP. XXXVIII. 

The Sentiments that a Miffionary ought to have of the little Progrefs 
they find in their Labours, p. 181 



VOYAGE 

INTO A 

Newly Difcover'd Country 

Larger than 

EUROPE, 

Situate between the 

Frozen Sea and New Mexico. 



CHAP. I. 

An Account of M. de la Salle'j Undertaking to difcover the River 
Mefchafipi by the Gulph of Mexico, and his eflablijhing a 
fmall Colony at the Bay of St. Lewis. 

REASON ought to rule Men in all cafes, and whenever 
they think themfelves wrong'd by others, they ought, 
as Chriftians, to impute it rather to their Pre-occupation or 
Prejudices, than to their Malice ; and this Maxim I propofe 
to my felf as my rule, as the Readers will obferve in the 
following Narration. 

I liv'd near three Years together as Miflionary with Mr. 
Robert Cavelier de la Salle at Fort Katarokoiiy or Frontenac, 
whereof he was Governor and Proprietor ; and during that 



384 A Voyage into North America. 

time, we read together the Voyages [2] of John Pontius de 
Leon, Pamphylio Narvaez Chrijlopher Columbus, Ferdinand Soto,^ 
and feveral other Travellers, the better to fit and prepare 
our felves for the great Difcovery we intended to make. 
M. de la Salle was a fit Man for the greateft Undertakings, 
and may be juftly rank'd amongft the mofl famous Travellers 
that ever were, as it will appear to whomfoever will confider 
that he fpent his own Eftate about the greatefl, moft impor- 
tant, and moft perillous Difcovery that has been yet made ; 
which he undertook with a handfull of Men, whom he pre- 
ferv'd from the numerous Nations he difcover'd, amongft 
whom all other Travellers, except Columbus, perifh'd without 
reaping any advantage from their Enterprizes, which however 
cofl them above looooo Men : fo that upon the whole, I may 
boldly conclude, that no body, before M. de la Salle and I, 
undertook fo dangerous an Expedition with fo few Men. 

Our defign was to endeavour to find out, if pofTible, a 
Paffage from the Northern to the South Sea without crofling 
the Line, which a great many have hitherto fought in vain. 
The River Mejchafipi does not indeed run that way, but 
however M. de la Salle was in hopes to difcover by the means 
of the Mejchafipi, fome other River running into the South 
Sea, and knowing his great Courage and Ability, I don't 
quefl:ion but he would have fucceeded, had God been pleafed 
to preferve his Life. As that unfortunate Gentleman was 
about it, he was murther'd ; and if the divine Providence has 



^ Juan Ponce de Leon, the discoverer of Florida ; Pamphilio de Narvaez, another 
noted Spanish officer in Florida ; Cristoforo Colombo, who discovered the New World ; 
and Hernando de Soto, who first made known the Mississippi River. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 385 

fpar'd me, 'tis it feems, that I may acquaint the World with 
a fhort way to go to China and Japan^ which I hope may be 
done by means of my Difcoveries : Therefore if his Majefty 
of Great Britain, or the States General are willing to fend any 
body to find out that fo much talk'd of Paffage, and that I 
may accompany them, I am morally fure that by the Grace 
of God, we fhall fucceed before the end of this Age. 

[3] The Country of the Illinois, and other neighbouring 
Nations, being the Center of our Difcovery, M. de la Salle 
defign'd to fettle there a Colony; and therefore any Prince 
or State, who will purfue fo generous a Defign, muft follow 
the fame method, and build Forts from Place to Place, to 
have an uninterrupted Communication, and keep in awe the 
Inhabitants of thefe vaft Countries. The firft thing M. de la 
Salle did in order thereto, was to endeavour to find out by 
Sea the Mouth of the Mefchafipi, which difcharges it felf into 
the Gulph of Mexico, as it has been faid in my firft Volume, 
to fettle there a Colony, and build a good Fort to be as his 
Magazine, and ferve as a retreat both by Sea and Land in cafe 
of any mifhap. He made his Propofals to the French King's 
Council; which were perus'd and approv'd by Monfieur de 
Seignelay Secretary and Minifter of State, and Intendent Gen- 
eral of the Commerce and Navigation of France, his moft 
Chriftian Majefty^ approved likewife his Defign, gave him all 



^ Louis XIV was then King of France. Jean Baptiste Colbert, marquis de 
Seignelay, son of the great Colbert, was one of his ministers until his death in 1691. 
Larousse says of Seignelay : " Under his administration the French marine attained 
a degree of prosperity which it has never known since, and could compete with the 
combined fleets of England and Holland." — Ed. 
11- 3 



386 A Voyage into North America. 

neceffary Authority, and fupply'd him with Ships, Men and 
Money. 

M. de la Salle having obtain'd what he defir'd from the 
King, thought of chufing able Miffionaries to convert thofe 
barbarous and wild Nations unto the Chriftian Religion, and 
refolv'd to ufe two different Orders ; but as this choice was 
a nice and difficult thing, he apply'd himfelf to Monfieur 
Tronfon Superiour of the Seminary of St. Sulpkius at Paris^^ 
who appointed three Men of great Vertue, Zeal and Ca- 
pacity to attend M. de la Salle as Miffionaries; thefe were 
M. Cavelier Brother to M. ^^ la Salle^ M. Chefdemlle a Rela- 
tion of his, and M. Majulle, Priefl:s in the faid Seminary. 

I had attended M. de la Salle near twelve Years in the 
Difcovery of Louifiana, and Father Zenobe, and Gabriel de la 
Ribourde and my felf had likewife accompanied him into the 
Country of the Illinois^ where Gabriel was murthered by the 
Savages, therefore [4] M. de la Salle refolved to have fome 
Recollects to endeavour to eftablifh the Knowledge of God in 
thofe vaft Countries, and to that end applied himfelf to 
Father Hyacinth le Fevre, who was then for a fecond time 
Provincial Commijfary of the Province of St. Denys in France, 
who granted him the Miffionaries he demanded, viz. Father 
Zenobe Mambre of Bapaume as Superiour, Father Maxime le 



^ Jean Jacques Olier, a priest at Paris, founded (1640) an association of priests at 
Vaugirard, which he transferred in the following year to Paris, where it expanded into 
the Seminary of St. Suipice, its priests being known as Sulpitians. In 1657, some were 
sent to Montreal, and six years later the Associates of Montreal surrendered to the 
Seminary their newly-formed colony, with their seigniorial rights over Montreal 
Island — possessions which have made the Montreal branch of the order enormously 
wealthy. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 387 

Clerc of LUle in Flanders^ Anaftafe Douay of Quefnoy in Hain- 
ault, and Denys Morquet of Arras, all Recolle5ls of the Province 
of St. Anthony in Artois. The firft, as I have faid, had been 
as far as the Illinois with M. de la Salle, and I toward the 
latter end of the Year 1679. And the beginning of the fol- 
lowing, and two Years after, viz. 1682 he went with M. de la 
Salle to the Mouth of the Mefchafipi in the Gulph of Mexico, 
about two Years after my Difcovery. The fecond Father had 
been five Years Miflionary in Canada, and had performed the 
Fun6lions of his Miniftry with great Diligence and much 
Edification, efpecially in the Miffion of the Seven IJlands and 
Anticofti. Father Douay, who is now Vicar of the Recolle5ls of 
Cambray, had never been in America, no more than Father 
Denys, who fell fo fick three days after he went on board, 
that he was forced to go a-fhore and return into his Province. 
The Provincial of the Order acquainted with this MifTion 
the Congregation de propaganda jide} to obtain the Power 
and Authority neceffary for that Enterprize, who fent a 
Decree according to the ufual Form ; and Pope Innocent XI. 
added a Brief thereunto, containing feveral Powers and Com- 
miflions in 36 Articles, that are ufually granted to Miflion- 
aries going into remote Countries, where they cannot referr 
certain Cafes to Bifhops. The Bifhop of Quebec oppos'd it 
with all his Intereft, but Cardinal d'Etrees^ fhew'd, that his 



1 This body was formed by Pope Gregory XIII, in 1622, to spread the Roman 
Catholic faith, and to direct all missions of that church — ^a work which it still con- 
tinues. — Ed. 

2 Cesar d' Estrees, a French cardinal ; a noted ecclesiastic and diplomatist of the 
seventeenth century. — Ed. 



388 A Voyage into North America. 

Oppofition was unreafonable, feeing the Country where thefe 
MifTionaries were to preach the [5] Gofpel, was 1000 Leagues 
diftant from Quebec. 

The advantages they expedled in France from our Dif- 
covery were fo great, that feveral young Gentlemen offer'd 
themfelves to accompany M. de la Salle as Volunteers, tho' 
they knew him only by the charader I had given of him in 
my Defcription of Louifiana, which I publifh'd after my return 
into France. This alfo gain'd him the efteem of Monfieur 
Seignelay, which was very advantageous to him. That Minifter 
fent for me feveral times to difcourfe with him about the 
circumftances of our Difcovery, which I told him fincerely, 
concealing only my Difcovery of the Courfe of the Mefcbajipi 
from the River of the Illinois to the Gulph of Mexico, out of 
pure kindnefs for M. de la Salle j who thereby recommended 
himfelf to the favour of the late Prince of Conti'^ and Mon- 
fieur Seignelay. 

All things being thus favourably difpofed, M. de la Salle 
chofe twelve Gentlemen, who appear'd to him vigorous, and 
like to bear the Fatigues of that Voyage, and amongft them, 
he took two of his own Nephews, viz. Mr. Moranger and 
Mr. Cavelier, tho' this laft was but fourteen Years of Age. 
One Mertin, Son to a rich Merchant of Rochely went alfo with 
him. In the mean time, they fitted out in that Harbour his 
fmall Fleet, which confided of four Ships, viz. the Toby, one 
of the King's Men of War; the Handfom, a fmall Frigat ; a 



1 Louis Armand de Bourbon, prince de Conti, who died in 1685 ; a dissolute but 
brave nobleman. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 3^9 

Fly-Boat, call'd VAimahle, and a Ketch, call'd St. Francis. 
The Man of War was commanded by Monfieur de Beaujeu, a 
Gentleman of Normandy^ with whom I have had feveral Con- 
verfations fince his return, at Dunkirk. This Officer is known 
by his great Services and long Experience, as well as his 
Lieutenant, the Chevalier de Here, who is now Captain of a 
Man of War. The Enfign was called de Hamel, a Gentleman 
of Bretaigny, of a ftrong and vigorous Conftitution. It were 
to be wifhed that [6] the Crew of the Ships, as well as the 
Soldiers, had anfwered the Character of the Officers ; but 
while M. de la Salle was at Court, thofe whom he employed 
to make his Levies, lifted about 150 poor Beggars, deformed, 
lame, and unfit for the hard Services they were defign'd for: 
He had alfo defir'd them to engage Men of feveral Profef- 
fions, as Blackfmiths, Carpenters, Joyners, Mafons, and the 
like; but when he came to try them, he found they were dull 
and ignorant Creatures, fo that he was forced to find out 
new Soldiers and Workmen, which took up much of his 
time. About ten Families of the Neighbourhood of Rochel 
offer'd themfelves to go with him to fettle a Colony, which 
he accepted, and advanc'd them Money to buy what was 
thought moft neceffary for their Eftablifhment. 

His Preparations being finifhed, the Fleet failed July 24, 
1684 from Rochel, but a violent Storm oblig'd them to come 
back, and they continued in the Road t\\\ Auguft 5, that they 
fail'd for St. Domingo. They met with another Storm on the 
14 of September, which feparated the Fleet ; the Fly-boat 
remain'd alone with the Frigat, and arriv'd together at Petit- 



39^ A Voyage into North America. 

Guaves, where they found the Toby, and heard that the St. 
Francis, on board which were their Merchandizes, was arriv'd 
at Port de Paix. The bad Weather being over, the Ketch 
failed for Petit-Guaves, the Rendezvous of the Fleet, but was 
unhappily taken in her way by the Spanifli Cruifers. 

I remember that in our Converfations at Fort Frontenac, 
M. de la Salle told me feveral times, that he would die fatis- 
fied and contented, could he but make himfelf Mafter of the 
Mine of St. Barbe in New Mexico ; I gave him no anfwer at 
firft, but feeing that he repeated it too often, tho' I knew I 
was a Subje6t; of the King of Spain, I could not forbear to 
exprefs my Affedion for my lawfull Sovereign, and told him, 
that tho' I [7] was with him I had not forgot my Native 
Country concluding my anfwer with thefe words, Vincit amor 
Patria. This was perhaps the firft caufe of all the hardfhips 
and injuftices I have fuffer'd fince that time, and which I 
might therefore have avoided, had I been capable of diffem- 
bling, as the Generality of Mankind do. But to return to 
M. la Salles, the lofs of the Ketch was of a fatal confequence 
to him, not fo much for the value of the Merchandizes, but 
becaufe the Spaniards had notice of his defigns againft their 
Mines. 

M. la Salles was hardly recover'd of a dangerous Diftem- 
per, when thofe unhappy Tydings were brought to him, and 
was like to relapfe upon that occafion ; but the reft of his com- 
pany being not as couragious as he, were quite dif-fpirited, 
and negledled to keep the Soldiers under a fevere Difcipline, 
who giving up themfelves to the Lewdnefs and Diffolutenefs, 



A Voyage into North America. 391 

fo common in thofe Iflands, contra6led fuch Diftempers that 
a great many died before they left Petii-Guaves, and the others 
continued fickly all their Life. As foon as M.. de la Salle v/as 
able to walk abroad, he made his Preparations for leaving 
the Ifland, and by the afUftance of Monlieur de St. Laurence 
Governour General of the French Iflands, and Monfieur 
Begon, Intendent of the fame ; he put his Fleet in a condition 
to fail from thence, November 25, 1684, having taken on 
board all forts of Refrefliments, a great quantity of Indian 
Corn, and of all forts of tame Beafts to ftock the new 
Country they were going to inhabit. 

They fail'd along the Iflands of Caimano, and touch'd at 
the Ifland of Peace for frefli Water, and from thence fail'd 
to St. Anthony in the Ifland of Cuba, where they anchor'd. 
The Sweetnefs and Situation of that place invited them to 
land, and they found a good Store of Refrefhments, and 
even fome Wine which the Spaniards had left in that place, 
having run away with too great a Precipitation. They con- 
tinued there two [8] days, and then fail'd, fleering towards 
the Gulph of Mexico. 

M. de la Salle was a very underftanding Man, and hardly 
to be impos'd upon, yet he was deceiv'd by fome Men of St. 
Domingo, and it was by their advice that he fteer'd a wrong 
Courfe. They had told him that the Northern Winds were 
very dangerous at the entrance of the Gulph, and this fear 
oblig'd him to return thence upon the Coafl: of Cuba; but 
at lafl: he overcame all Difficulties, and got into the Gulph, 
January i. 1685. and defcry'd a Fortnight after the Coafl; of 



392 A Voyage into North America. 

Florida^ where they were furpriz'd by a ftrong Wind, which 
parted the Fleet, the Tohy keeping off from the Coaft, and 
the Frigat and the Fly-boat as near the Land as poffible : 
they had told him alfo, that the Current of the Gulph runs 
with a great Rapidity towards the Channel of Bahama^ but 
he found himfelf miftaken, and lofb thereby his Courfe, for 
thinking he was too far to the North, he fail'd by the Bay 
of Spirito Santo [Mobile], and overlhot the Mouth of the 
Mejchafipi. They were undeceiv'd by the Coaft of the Gulph, 
which bends in that place to the Southward, and having 
taken the Elevation of the Pole, they found they were within 
50 Leagues of the Mefchafifi. The three Ships joyned again 
about the middle of February in the Bay di Spirito Santo, 
where it was agreed to alter their Courfe ; and about 10 
Leagues off they found a large Bay, which they called St. 
Lewis} The Provifions growing fcarce, the Soldiers were 
fent a-fhore, and M. de la Salle founded the Bay, which he 
found deep, and the bottom a good Anchorage, fo that the 
Frigat got in happily on the i8th. The Channel is very 
deep, but fomewhat narrow, and there is a Sand at the Mouth 
of it: M. de la Salle took that Bay for the right Arm of the 
Mejchafipi, and indeed there v/as much likeHhood of it. 



^ Now Matagorda Bay, on the coast of Texas. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 393 



[9] CHAP. II. 

An Account of feveral Misfortunes that befell M. de la Salle at 
the Bay of St. Lewis. 

MLJ SALLES had exprefsly forbid the Captain of the 
• Fly-boat to attempt to come into the Bay, without 
having on board the Pilot of the Frigat, who was an experi- 
enc'd Man; and for a greater fecurity he had commanded him 
to unlade his Guns into the Pinnace to make his Ship the 
lighter ; yet that Brute negledled thofe Orders and Advice, 
and without taking any notice of the Marks or Poles they 
had placed on the Sands to fhew him the Channel, and the 
Advice of the Seamen, he fail'd his Ship at random, and ran 
her againft a Sand where fhe remain'd : M. de la Salle was 
a-fhore, and fearing the fate of his Ship, was going on board 
to fave her, but was prevented by about 120 Savages who 
came to attack him : He put his Men in a pofture of defence, 
but the noife alone of the Drums put the Savages to flight : 
M. de la Salle follow'd them and prefented them the Calumet 
of Peace, which they accepted, and came along with him to 
his Camp, where he entertain'd them, and fent them back 
with fome Prefents ; they were fo pleas'd, that they brought 
fome Provifions the next day, and made Alliance with M. de 
la Salle, whereby they engag'd themfelves to fupply him with 



394 ^ Voyage into North America. 

fome Pyrogues or wooden Canou's : That Alliance would 
likely have prov'd very advantageous to M. de la Salle, had 
not an unforefeen Accident broke that good Intelligence. 

As they were unlading the Fly boat which had ftruck upon 
the Sand to endeavour to get her oflf, a Pack of Blankets fell 
into the Sea, which the Waves [lo] drove upon the fliore: 
The Savages found it, and M. de la Salle having notice 
thereof, fent to demand it of them in a very civil manner. 
They fhew'd fome Reludtancy, whereupon the Officer inflead 
of ading the prudent part, threatned to kill them unlefs 
they refbor'd it immediately. They were fo frighted and 
incens'd againft them, that they refolv'd to be aveng'd of 
that Aflfront ; and in order thereto, got together in the Night 
time between the 6 and 7 of March, and march'd to furprize 
the French Camp. They advanc'd as near as they would, the 
Sentry being afleep, and made a difcharge of their Arrows 
which killed 4 Gentlemen Officers and Volunteers, and 
wounded M. Moranger and another Volunteer. The French 
ran to their Arms, and fired upon the Savages, who run away 
tho' none was wounded : they found the next day two of M, 
de la Sailers Men whom they murthered as they were fleeping. 

In the mean time they unladed the Fly-boat, which was 
too far funk to be got off, and faved moft of the Goods, and 
as they were endeavouring to fave the reft, fhe was dafhed in 
Pieces by the violence of the Wind and Waves, and feveral 
Men were in great danger of being drowned, but by the 
Grace of God all efcap'd. 

Monfieur Beaiijeu feeing all the Goods and Merchandizes 



A Voyage into North America. 395 

landed, and a Fort almoft finifhed, failed the 12th of March 
for France^ and M. de la Salle having fortified his Magazine 
or Fort, which they call Hangar^ left 100 men under the Com- 
mand of his Nephew M. Moranger, for the defence of it ; and 
with the reft, being 50, and 3 Miflionaries, viz. M. Cavelier, 
and Father Zenobe and Maxime^ advanced into the Country 
following the Bay, in hopes to find the Mefchafipi} The 
Captain of the Frigat was ordered to found at the fame time 
the Channel, and bring his Ship as high as he could with 
fafety, which he did, [11] and brought his Ship to an Anchor 
at a place which was call'd Hurler, from the name of the 
Officer who was left at that place for the Security of that 
Port, which was abfolutely neceffary to maintain the Com- 
munication between the firffc Habitation, and another M. de 
la Salle made on the 2d of Jlpril at the bottom of the Bay 
upon the Banks of a fine River, which was called the River 
of the Cows,^ becauie of the vaft number of thofe Beafts that 
were difcover'd in thofe parts. The Savages came to attack 
our Men, but were fo warmly receiv'd, that they retir'd with- 
out doing the French any harm. 

On the 2ift, being EaJler-EvQ, M. de la Salle return'd to 
the firft Camp, and the next day was fpent in Devotions ; but 
the 23d they began to carry all the Effedts from the two 
Forts, to the Settlement M. de la Salle had made upon the 
River above-mention'd, and when they had made an end of 



^ For detailed account of this expedition of La Salle, and his attempt to found a 
colony on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, see Paikman's La Salle, pp. 322-387. — Ed. 
2 Now called the Lavaca River. — Ed. 



39^ A Voyage into North America. 

it, they razed the faid Forts. They had fown fome Pulfe 
and Corn, but either the Soil was not good, or elfe the Seed 
was fpoil'd by Salt Water, for it did not rife at all. M. de 
la Salle might have remembred what I had formerly told him 
in our Voyage to the Illinois^ that Corn and other Seeds 
which we bring from Europe^ muft either be in their Ears or 
Hulls, for otherwife they lofe their Vertue at Sea, and cannot 
grow in a Soil that was never cultivated before. 

They built a Fort in a very advantageous Poft, with fo 
much diligence, that it was in a few days in a good Pofture 
of Defence, being defended by 12 Pieces of Cannon. They 
made a great Magazine under ground to preferve their Goods 
and Provifions from Fire. It is to be ob~ferved that the Forts 
in America, I mean fuch as I fpeak of now, require not fo 
much Art and Labour, as in Europe, fince the Savages have 
no Artillery to attack them. They are fo afraid of Fire-Arms, 
that none of thofe Nations ever durft attack [12] thefe mean 
Fortifications, except the Iroquois, who attempted to force the 
French in their Intrenchments in the Ifland of Orleans, now 
called St. Lawrence near Quebec. The French had fortified 
themfelves with Pallifadoes, which the Iroquois fet on Fire, 
and to cover themfelves againft the French in their Approach, 
every one of them carry'd before him a thick Plank or board 
Musket-proof, and thereby forced the French to leave their 
Entrenchments. They ufe alfo another Strategem againft 
our Forts, unlefs they are defended by fome Pieces of Can- 
non to keep them off; they tye to their Arrows a lighted 
Match, and then fhoot them in fuch manner, as to make 



A Voyage into North America. 397 

them fall on the Top or Roof of the Forts, which is made 
of Planks, and thereby fet them on Fire. M. de la Salle^ 
who knew all their Artifices, took alfo all imaginable Precau- 
tions to difappoint them, which he did by covering the Roof 
with green Turf. 

In the mean time, his men grew fo fickly, that a great 
many died in a few days, notwithftanding they were carefully 
look'd after, and fupplied with proper Remedies, and befides 
this misfortune, he was forc'd to make an open War againft 
the Savages. On the 9th of Aiiguft three of his men were 
gone a fhooting, there being abundance of Game in thofe 
Parts. The noife of their Guns gave notice of their Ap- 
proach to the Savages, who immediately got together in 
great numbers and furrounded the three Europeans, who put 
themfelves in a readinefs to fight, and killed with the firft 
fhot the General of the Savages. This fad accident terrified 
them fo much, that they ran away, notv/ithftanding the Dif- 
proportion in number. They continued lurking about the 
Fort, and kill'd a French man who had advanc'd too far into 
the Woods. 

M.. de la Salle feeing no way to bring them to an Alliance, 
refolved to make War upon them to oblige them to come to 
Peace, and fupply him with their [13] Pyrogiies or Wooden 
Canou's which he wanted. Therefore fet out from his Fort 
on the 13th of October, with 60 ftout Men to look for the 
Savages, having provided them with a kind of Breaft-piece 
of Wood, to cover them againft the Arrows of the Sav- 
ages. He was not far advanced when he found the Savages 



39^ A Voyage into North America. 

incamped, with whom he had feveral Skirmlfhes, kiUing and 
wounding a great many, and returned with many Prifoners 
efpecially young Children ; amongft whom was a Girl of 
about four Years of Age, which was Chriftened, and died 
fome Days after. 

While M. de la Salle was building and perfecting his Fort, 
thofe Families he had brought to begin a Colony, grubb'd 
up the Land, and fowed feveral forts of Corn and Pulfe, 
which they had brought in their Ear and Hulls, which fuc- 
ceeded very well. They made fome Cannons, and croffed 
over to the other fide of the Bay, where they found a fine 
River, and a prodigious Number of wild Oxen and Turkeys. 
The tame Beafts they had brought from St. Domingo, as Cows, 
Hogs, and Fowls multiplied very much ; and in fhort the 
fmall Colony began to thrive, fince the War had removed 
the Savages from their Habitations, and 'tis likely that M. 
de la Salle would have fucceeded, had not a new Misfortune 
worfe than all the former, difappointed his Noble Defigns. 

M. de la Salle had often entertain'd me with the unheard 
of Cruelties exercifed by the Spaniards in New Mexico, and 
Peru, againft the Inhabitants of thofe vaft Empires, whom 
they deftroyed as much as ever they could, preferving only 
their Children to make new People. He exclaimed againft 
that Cruelty of the Spaniards, as unworthy of Men of Honour, 
and contrary to the Do6lrine of the Chriftian Religion. I 
blamed them my felf ; but yet I offered now and then fome 
Reafons to excufe them, as the NecefTities [14] they found 
themfelves under of exterminating thofe Nations, or perifhing 



A Voyage into North America. 399 

themfelves, and forfaking their Conqueft ; for whenever they 
thought themfelves fafe, they were fuddenly invaded by great 
Armies, and therefore in a perpetual Danger. M. de la Salle 
experienced himfelf that Neceffity in Canada^ for the Savages 
do not underftand the Do6lrine of forgiving or forgetting 
Injuries ; and notwithftanding all Treaties of Peace, they will 
revenge themfelves one time or other. The French of Canada 
have done all that is pofTible, humanly fpeaking, to gain the 
Friendfhip of the Iroquois^ yet they have not been able to heal 
the firft Breach that happened between them, which has been 
the Source of many Wars, which lafhs at this very time ; 
whereas that barbarous People has never had any quarrel 
with the Dutch inhabiting New Tork, becaufe thefe have 
always ufed them very kindly, diffembhng fome infignificant 
Injuries, or accepting their fatisfa6lion. M. de la Salle knew 
better than any Body the Temper of the Savages, and the 
Methods how to gain them ; therefore I wonder that he 
would make Wars upon the Neighbours of his new Colony, 
for this was almoft an infallible way to ruine it, and cut oflf 
the hope of the Converfion of thofe ignorant Nations. From 
thefe obfervations we may conclude, that Meeknefs and 
Charity fo much recommended in the Gofpel, are two Ver- 
tues abfolutely neceffary for the eftablifhment of Colonies in 
thofe new Countries ; for otherwife the new Inhabitants muft 
deftroy the Ancient, or be deftroyed by them, either of which 
is a cruel Neceffity unworthy of a Chriftian. M. de la Salle 
had ordered the Captain of the Frigat to found the Bay, and 
to fuffer none of his Men to lie a-fhoar; however the Captain 



400 A Voyage into North America. 

himfelf, and fix of his beft Men being charmed with the 
Sweetnefs of the Country went a-fhoar, and leaving their 
Canou's upon the Owze with their Arms, went into a Meadow 
where [15] they fell afleep, and were murthered by the Sav- 
ages, who broke their Arms and Canou. This fad Accident 
put the Colony in a dreadfull Confternation. M. de la Salle 
having buried his Men, refolv'd to travel along the Coaft to 
find out the Mouth of the Mejchafipi, and having left the 
Inhabitants and Soldiers who were to remain in the Fort, fet 
out with 20 Men, and M. Cavelier his Brother. 

This Bay of St. Lewis is formed by feveral Rivers, and 
lies in the Latitude of 27 Degrees 45 Minutes. None of 
thefe Rivers was broad and deep enough to be an Arm 
of the Mefchafipi^ but NL. de la Salle thought they might be 
Branches of one of the Arms of that River, therefore he 
refolved to follow one of them, which coft him a world of 
Trouble, for he found feveral other Rivers running into that, 
too deep to be forded, which they croffed, laying together 
feveral Branches of Trees, of which they made ufe inftead of 
Boats. They met with feveral Nations of Savages and were 
forced to entrench themfelves every Night, for fear of being 
furprifed. The continual Rains that fell during his Voyage, 
made the ways very bad, and fwell'd feveral fmall Rivulets, 
which increafed his Trouble. At laft, on the 13th of February, 
he thought to have found his fo much wifh'd for River ; and 
having fortified a Poft on its Bank, and left part of his Men 
for its fecurity ; he advanced farther into the Country, which 
appeared unto him the moft delicious and fertile that ever he 



A Voyage into North America. 401 

faw. He vifited feveral Nations who received him with much 
Humanity, and returned to his Fort on the 31ft of March, 
charmed with his Difcovery. 

The fatisfadlion he expreffed upon this account can hardly 
be expreffed, but the Grief which the lofs of his Frigat caused 
him, over-ballanc'd it. This was the only Ship left unto him, 
with which he intended to fail in few Days for St. Domingo, 
to [16] bring a new Supply of Men and Goods to carry on 
his Defign ; but it ran unfortunately a ground through the 
Negligence of the Pilot, and was dafh'd in pieces. All the 
Men were drowned except the Sieur Chefdeville one of the 
Miflionaries, the Captain and 4 Seamen ; the Goods, Linen, 
and Cloath of the Colony, with the Provifions and Tools 
were abfolutely loft. M. de la Salle was a Man of an extraor- 
dinary Courage, and unparallell'd Conftancy; yet 'tis likely 
he would have funk under this Misfortune, had not God 
afTifted him in an extraordinary manner. 



n-4 



402 A Voyage into North America. 



CHAP. III. 

A Continuation of the Misfortunes of M. de la Salle, with an 
Account of two Voyages he undertook to find out the Country of 
the Illinois. 

THOSE who have converfed with Accounts of new Dif- 
coveries, are convinced that thofe who take upon them 
fo difficult a Task, are obliged to do a thoufand things, 
which prove ufelefs and unneceffary ; for looking for the 
right way, and no body being there to fhew it unto them, 
'tis no wonder if they miftake it. And as to the Misfortunes 
that befell the worthy Gentleman I fpeak of. It is nothing 
but what he, or any body elfe that fhall go about the like 
Enterprife, muft expedl with a very inconfiderable Difference. 
The pious Defign he was upon, in relation to the Converfion 
of thofe ignorant Nations, deferved it feems a better Fate ; 
but as God's ways are not our ways, we muft fubmit to 
Divine Providence, without troubling our felves about a vain 
inquiry into the Secrets of God Almighty. M. de la Salle 
who was a good Chriftian, knew admirably well the Pradlice 
[17] of this Do6lrine, and without being dejedted by the 
Misfortunes already mention'd, he refolved to go on with his 
Difcovery. 

As I am more concern'd than any body elfe to know 



A Voyage into North America. 403 

whether M. de la Salle had really difcover'd the Mefchafipi, 
when he return'd into Canada over land, becaufe I am the 
firft European that ever travell'd upon that River, I have care- 
fully perufed all the printed Accounts of his Voyage, as alfo 
private Memoirs, but after all, I found that the account 
publifhed by Father Anaftafe is the moft exadt, and may be 
depended upon.^ 

M. de la Salle feeing all his Affairs ruin'd by the lofs of 
his Ships, and having no way to return into Europe but by 
Canada^ refolved upon fo dangerous a Journey, and took 20 
men along with him, with one Savage call'd Nikana^ that is 
to fay, Companion of the Nation of Choiimon} This man 
had follow'd him into France^ and had given fuch proofs of 
his Affedion to his Mafter on feveral nice occafions, that he 
relied more upon him than upon any European. M. Cavelier, 
M. Moranger, and Father Anaftafe defir'd likewife to accom- 
pany him. They took four Pound of Powder, Shot in 
Proportion, two Axes, two Dozen of Knives, feveral Pound 
of Raffade or Glafs Beads, and two Kettles to boil their 
Meat, contenting himfelf with thefe Provifions, in hopes to 
find out eafily the Illinois and return in a fhort time. Having 
affifted at the divine Service in the Chapel of the Fort to 
implore God's Mercy and Protection, he fet out the 22d of 



^Parkman {La Salle, p. 397, note 2) regards the narrative of Henri Joutei (Paris, 
1713) as the best; Douay's (given in Le Clercq's Etablissement de la Foy, Shea's 
trans., ii, pp. 229-282), although brief, agrees therewith in essentials. Jean 
Cavelier's Relation (printed by Shea in 1858) is regarded by Parkman as somewhat 
inaccurate. — Ed. 

2 A misprint for Chouanon (Shawnese). — Ed. 



404 A Voyage into North America. 

Ap-\l^ 1686 diredling his March to the North Eaft, for the 
Mejcbafipi running diredlly from the North to the South, into 
the Gulph of Mexico^ the Country of the Illinois is fituated to 
the N. E. of the place where M. de la Salle left. 

'Tis likely that they wanted Pyrogues and Canou's, fince 
Father Anaftafe makes no mention of any, [18] and 'tis likely 
that M. de la Salle was not fure that he had found out the 
Mouth of the Mefchafipi^ for then he might have eafily met 
with the Illinois by means of that River, knowing that the 
River of the Illinois runs into the Mefchafipi. 

After three days March, they difcover'd the fineft Cham- 
paign Country in the World, and were met by a great many 
men on Horfe-back, with Boots, Spurs and Saddles. This 
Nation invited them to come to their Habitations, but M. de 
la Salle having taken fome Informations from them concern- 
ing his way, thank'd them for their kindnefs, and would not 
accept of their Offers. The Reader may judge, that all this 
was tranfadled by figns, for they did not underftand one 
another. The Equipage of the Nation fheweth they had 
Commerce with the Spaniards. Our men having continued 
their March all the day long, incamp'd upon a rifing ground, 
which they fortified by cutting down fome Trees to avoid 
any Surprize. 

Having march'd two days through vaft Meadows, they 
came upon the Banks of a River which they called Robeck, 
where they found fuch numbers of wild Oxen, call'd by the 
Spaniards Cibola, that the lead Drove confifted of about 400 : 



A Voyage into North America. 405 

They killed ten of them, and refted two or three days to 
broil the Meat for the reft of their Voyage. 

Within a League and a half from the Robeck they met 
with another River broader and deeper than the Seine before 
Paris^ its Banks being adorn'd with great Trees, fo well dif- 
pos'd by Nature, that they feem as many Walks artificially 
planted. One fide of the River is cover'd with Woods, and 
the other is a continued Meadow. They were oblig'd to cut 
Branches of Trees and tie them together to crofs it over. 
They call'd it the IFicked} The Country between this Wicked 
River and another they met few days after, is full of Trees, 
bearing all forts of Fruit, [19] and efpecially of Mulberry- 
trees, but the Vines are fo common, that the whole feems a 
Vineyard, and the higheft Trees are coverM with them. 
They call'd the laft River Hiens^ becaufe one of them, a 
German by Birth, of the Country of fFirtemburg, (luck fo faft 
in the Mud, that they had much ado to get him off. 

The Raft or floating-boat of Branches, which they com- 
monly us'd to crofs the Rivers, taking up much of their time, 
and this River being narrow, M. de la Salle caus'd one of his 
men to fwim over with an Ax, to fell down a Tree, while 
they fell another on their fide, and thefe two Trees meeting 
together, made a kind of Bridge ; this way was both fafer 
and eafier, and therefore they always made ufe of it, whenever 
the narrownefs of the River would permit it. 

M. de la Salle alter'd here his courfe, marching diredlly to 

^Riviere Maligne, on early maps; apparently the Brazos River of Texas. — Ed. 



4o6 A Voyage into North America. 

the Eaftward. As he told no body the reafons of it, it is 
impoffible to know what was his motive ; that Man was fecret 
to a fault, and likely would have profper'd better, had he 
been fomewhat more communicative. After fome days March 
through a pleafant Country, they found another, which, 
according to their account, may be call'd the Paradife of the 
World, inhabited by a numerous Nation, who receiv'd them 
with all imaginable marks of Friendfhip and Kindnefs ; their 
Women embrac'd them chearfuUy, and caus'd them to fit 
upon fome fine Mats near their Captains, who prefented 
them their Calumet of Peace, adorn'd with Feathers of feveral 
Colours, and wherein they delir'd them to fmoak. They 
prefented them afterwards with a Difh of Sagamittee, which is 
a kind of Pap made with the Root of a Shrub call'd Tique 
or Toquo, which looks like a Briar without Thorns : ^ Its Root 
is very big, and having wafh'd it and dry'd it by the Sun, 
they pound it in a Mortar. This Sagamittee tafted pretty 
well. Thefe honeft [20] Savages prefented them with fome 
Skins of wild Oxen finely dreft and good for Shooes, which 
are very neceffary in that Country, becaufe of fome fharp 
cutting Herbs. M. de la Salle prefented them, in return of 
their kindnefs, fome Glafs Beads of black Colour, which is 
much valu'd amongft them, they continued fome days amongft 
that Nation, which time M. de la Salle improv'd to give them 
fome Idea of the Grandeur and Power of the King his 



iLucien Carr regards this (Jm^r. ^wZ/^r. Soc. Proc, 1895, p. 168) as the tuckahoe, 
or koonti, of the South. This plant is an underground fungus {Pachyma cocos); it 
is bitter to the taste, but eatable when baked in hot ashes. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 407 

Mafter, whom he reprefented higher and greater than the 
Sun. Thefe People underftood fomething of it by his Signs, 
and were ftruck with a wonderfull Admiration. M. Cavelier 
and Father Anaftafe endeavour'd alfo to give them fome 
Notions of God, but with what fuccefs no body can tell. 

That Nation is call'd Biskatronge, but the Europeans call'd 
them the fFeeping, and their River the River of Tears, becaufe 
when they arriv'd there, thofe Savages wept for about a 
quarter of an Hour. They receive fo all Strangers, whom 
they think to come from remote Countries, becaufe this puts 
them in mind of their deceas'd Relations whom they think 
upon a long Journey, and whofe return they exped. That 
honeft People gave M. de la Salle fome Guides, and fupply'd 
his men with whatever they wanted, and croffed them over 
their River in their Pyrogues. 

They paffed three or four other Rivers in three days 
time, and met with no confiderable adventure, but on the 
fourth day as they were near a Village, Nikana the Savage, 
who attended Mo de la Salle, fhot a wild Goat, which frighted 
fo much the Inhabitants of that Village, that they ran away. 
M. de la Salle put his men in a readinefs to fight, and enter'd 
the faid Village, which confifted of above 300 Cabbins. 
They march'd to the moft confiderable, wherein they found 
the Wife of the chief of the Savages, who had been forc'd 
to flay alone becaufe of her great Age. M. de la [21] Salle 
made the moft fignificant Signs he could think on to let her 
know that he was a Friend, which being perceiv'd by her 
three Sons, who advanc'd as near as they could without being 



4o8 A Voyage into North America. 

difcover'd, to obferve what our men would do, they brought 
back their men, and offer'd M. de la Salle their Calumet of 
Peace, which being accepted, the day was concluded with the 
Dance of the Calumet and other Demonftrations of Joy. 

However M. de la Salle did not think fit to truft himfelf 
in their hands, and therefore refufed to lie in their Cabbins 
and went to encamp among fome Canes or great Reeds hard 
by, through which it was impoflible to come without making 
a great noife. This was a M afterpiece of Prudence, for 
otherwife they might have been murther'd ; for a Band of 
Savages got together to furprize them : The ratling noife of 
the Canes having given notice of their Approach to M. de la 
Salle, he awaked his men, and fpoke in fo bold a Tone to 
the Savages that they retir'd. They left that place the next 
day, parting from them very civilly, and having march'd fix 
Leagues further, they were met by another Band of Savages, 
who had Ears of Indian Corn in their Hands ; they embrac'd 
M. de la Salle according to their way, and invited him by 
Signs to go to their Village, which he confented to. They 
made him underftand, that there was a Nation to the Weft- 
ward who deftroyed all other men ; and by the Description 
they made, he judged they meant the Spaniards of Nezv 
Mexico, with whom this Nation was at War. The Village 
having notice of the Arrival of M. de la Salle, all flock'd 
about them, expreffing their joy by Signs and other Poftures, 
and making him underftand that he would oblige them to 
remain with them to afiift them againft their Enemies : M. de 
la Salle would not agree to that, but promis'd to return in a 



A Voyage into North America. 409 

fhort time, with a greater number of men ; [22] and after 
having made them fome Prefents and receiv'd other things 
they gave them, he left that place, the Savages carrying him 
and all his men over their River in their Pyrogues. This 
Nation is called Kirononas. 

They continued their March to the Eaftward through 
fine Meadows, and three days after, having left the Kirononas, 
Nikana their Savage cry'd out of a fudden that he was a 
dead man, having been flung by a Rattle-Snake. This fad 
accident oblig'd them to tarry fome days in that place : They 
gave him immediately fome Orvietan, and having fcarified the 
Wound, they apply'd upon it fome Salt of Vipers, whereby 
he was recover'd. 



4IO A Voyage into North America. 



CHAP. IV. 

A Continuation of M. de la Salle'j Voyage and Difcovery ; and 
how he was receiv'd by the Savages Cenis. 

THEY march'd feveral days without meeting with any 
Savages or any Accidents, and came to a River very 
broad and rapid, which they judg'd to be near the Sea: 
They made a Raft to crofs it, and M. de la Salle, and M. 
Cavelier, and part of his men ventur'd upon that floating 
Boat, which the Rapidity of the Stream carry'd down with 
fuch a violence, that they were in few minutes out of fight, 
leaving their Comrades on the fhore under an unfpeakable 
Grief. Father Anaftafe comforted them as much as he could, 
being himfelf under a great afflidion ; for befides their Sav- 
age, who was of great ufe to them., had loft his way, and was 
wandering in the Woods : They continued in that condition 
all the day, but in [23] the Evening they heard M. de la Salle 
hailing them from the other Shore. Their Raft had been 
ftopp'd by a Sand in the middle of the River, which gave 
them time to recover their ftrength, in fo much, that they 
mafter'd the Current and got happily over ; tho' one of them 
attempting to catch a Branch of a Tree, fell into the Water 
and was carry'd away. They thought him drown'd, but being 
an excellent Swimmer, and knowing it was in vain to ftrive 



A Voyage into North America. 411 

againft the Stream, but by degrees he was carry'd down a 
great way, and at laft got a-fhore and rejoyn'd Father Anaftafe 
and his Companions, who having eat nothing all day long, 
were exceeding hungry. They found no Game about them, 
and wanting all manner of Provifions, they were reduc'd to 
a great Extremity : the divine Providence, who takes care of 
the meaneft of his Creatures, rehev'd them alfo at this time, 
two young Eagles fell from a Cedar, v/hich afforded them a 
Meal, tho' it was but a fmall matter for ten almoft ftarv'd 
Travellers. 

They tarry'd in that place that night, and the next day 
they endeavour'd to crofs the River, and by the advice of 
M. de la Salle, they made a Raft of Canes, which with the 
help of two men that fwam to defend it againft the Rapidity 
of the Stream, they got all over except their Savage. Being 
thus rejoyn'd they march'd two days through a Foreft of 
Canes, through which they were forced to cut their way with 
their Axes, and on the third day they found Nikana with 
three wild Goats already broyl'd, and another which he had 
juft kill'd. M. de la Salle ordered two or three Guns to be 
fir'd to (hew his Joy. 

Having refrefh'd themfelves they continu'd their March 
Eaftward, travelling through a moft delicious Country, where 
they found Savages, who had nothing barbarous but their 
Name. They met one of them who came from fhooting with 
his Wife and Family ; [24] he prefented M. de la Salle with 
a Horfe and fome Flefh, defiring him by figns to go along 
with him to his Habitation, and left he fhould have any Suf- 



412 A Voyage into North America. 

picion, he left his Wife and Family with him, and went to 
his Village, where he was accompany'd by Nikana, and a 
Footman of M. de la Salle. They return'd two days after 
with two Horfes loaded with Provifions, and acquainted their 
Mafter with the civility of that People, who fent their chief 
Commanders and young Warriors to complement them. 
They were handfomly cover'd with drefs'd Skins, adorned 
with Feathers of different Colours. Nl. de la Salle thought 
fit to advance, and within three Leagues of the Village he 
met the Savages, who prefented them their Calumet of Peace 
in great Ceremony. They conduced them in triumph to the 
Cabbin of their General, where a great number of People 
came to fee them. M. de la Salle obferv'd that the young 
Warriours mounted the Guard and were reliev'd by turns. 
The great civility of that People oblig'd M. de la Salle to 
leave the Village and encamp about two Miles off, for having 
obferv'd that the Women were exceeding kind to them, and 
pretty handfom, he was afraid his men would be debauch'd, 
which might have been of a fatal confequence. They tarry'd 
there four days, and bought fome Horfes for fome of our 
European Commodities. 

This Village belongs to the Cenis} and is one of the mofl 
populous and largeft of America^ being about 20 Leagues 
long, not in a continued Street, but becaufe the Hamblets 
are fo near one another, that the whole looks as if it were but 
one. Their Cabbins are extraordinary fine, of about 50 Foot 



^ A Pawnee tribe (of the Caddoan family), then located on the Trinity River, 
Texas, but now extinct. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 413 

long, and built as Bee-Hives. They plant Trees round-about, 
whofe Branches joyn over their Cabins, and which they tie 
together: Their Beds are placed round-about their Cabins, 
four Foot higher than the flour, and they [25] make their 
Fire in the middle. Each Cabin is for two Families. They 
founxi amongft them feveral things which they muft have from 
the Spaniards, as fome Pieces of Eight, Silver Spoons, Lace, 
Cloaths and Horfes. They had alfo a Bull of the Pope, 
exempting the Spaniards of New Mexico from falling in Sum- 
mer time. How they came by it, they could never underftand. 
The Horfes are fo common, that one of M. de la Sailers men 
had one given him for his Ax, and another ofi^er'd a fine one 
for Father Anaftafe^ Capuch. They have however no dired: 
Trade with the Spaniards, but get thefe things from the 
Choumans'^ their Allies, who being Neighbours of the Euro- 
peans are often in War with them. M. de la Salle having 
always the Mines of St. Barbe in his Thoughts, defir'd them 
by Signs to draw a Map of the Country, and the Courfe of 
their River, which they underftood, and with a Piece of Coal, 
they made on the white Bark of a Tree a Defcription of their 
Country and River, that M.. de la Salle underftood they were 
within fix days journey from the Spaniards, whom they knew, 
their Warriors going often to aflift the Choumans againft 
them. 

M. de la Salle, who had a particular art to gain the Friend- 
fliip of the Savages, told them a great many things of the 



1 The Comanches, a Shoshonean tribe, whose habitat was on the upper waters of 
the Arkansas, Red, and Rio Grande rivers. — Ed. 



414 A Voyage into North America. 

Grandeur of the King his Mafter, whom he reprefented as 
the greateft Captain of the World, and as much above the 
Spaniards as the Sun above the Earth : he gave them an 
account of his fignal Vidlories : At which, fays Father ^najlafe, 
they put their Fingers upon their Mouth to exprefs their 
Admiration: but feeing M. de la Salle did not fpeak their 
Language, I would fain know how the Cenis underftood the 
account he gave them of the glorious A6lions of the King of 
France. Surely this is a Fidion, or at beft, too long a Com- 
ment upon a Converfation v/hich was aded by figns ; and 
Father Anajlafe [26] might have fpar'd this Refle6lion upon 
the Spaniards^ for tho' the King of France is a great Monarch, 
yet the King of Spain poffeffes fuch Countries in the old and 
new World, that no Prince can be compar'd to him in that 
refped, and the Motto of the Catholick Kings, Sol mihi 
nunquam occidit, may be more eafily juftified, than the Nee 
pluribiis impar of the King of France. Thofe who will con- 
fider the extent of the Dominions of the Spaniards in the 
Weft-Indies^ will find that they are above 2500 Leagues in 
length, which I think the great Mufter of M. de la Salle can 
never match. 

There were at that time fome Ambaffadours of the ChoU- 
manSy at the Village of the Cenis, who paid a Vifit to M. de 
la Salle, and at their coming in made the Sign of the Crofs, 
and kneeling down kiffed Father Anaftaje^^ Gown, lifting up 
their Hands to Heaven, and giving them to underftand, that 
Men cloathed with like Habits taught their Neighbours. 



A Voyage into North America. 415 

They made fuch figns as convinced the French that they had 
been at Mafs ; and one of them drew with a Coal a tall 
Woman weeping at the Foot of the Crofs, for the Death of 
her Son who was nail'd to it. This he muft needs have feen 
over an Altar in the Spanifh Churches, and 'tis no wonder if 
they knew Father Anaftaje^s Gown, for the Francifcans are 
very numerous in that Country. Our Authour adds, that 
they told M. de la Salle, that the Spaniards made a great 
{laughter of the Indians, and that if he would go along with 
them with his fire Arms, it would be eafie to conquer them, 
feeing they are Cowards, and fo Effeminate as to have two 
Men before them, when they walk in Summer-time each with 
a large Fann to refrefh them. 

This puts me in mind of feveral Converfations which I 
had with M. de la Salle, at Fort Frontenac concerning our 
Difcoveries, and fpeaking of Miffionaries and the Qualities 
they ought to have, I remember [27] he told me often that 
the Jefuits of the Colledge of Goa in the Eaft-Indies, which 
was given them by a Bp [Bishop] of the Order of St. Francis, 
and whofe Revenues amount now to a prodigious Summ, 
travel in a Litter, where they perform this Miffion, having 
two Men on each fide to cool them with a Fann. This he 
knew from fome of thofe Jefuits themfelves, but as he had 
left this Society, I did not altogether believe what he told 
me of it ; but I wonder that Father Anaftafe would charge 
upon the Spaniards of New Mexico, what Nl. de la Salle told me 
of the Jefuits of Goa. The reafon may be eafily difcover'd, 



41 6 A Voyage into North America. 

the Spaniards will either fcorn this Refle6lion, or let it go 
without Vengeance, whereas the Jefuits are never affronted 
with Impunity. 

M. de la Salle having tarried feveral Days among the 
Cenis^ continued his March through the Habitations of the 
Najfonis ; thefe two Nations are in confederacy, and divided 
by a large River,^ on the Banks of which the Villages are 
fituated : They have much the fame cuftoms and manners. 

Within five Leagues of that Place four of M. de la Sailers 
men ran away to the Najfonis, which fadly vex'd him ; and 
few Days after, he together with M. Moranger his Nephew, 
fell fick of a violent Fever, which obliged our Travellers to 
tarry in that Place for feveral Weeks, for notwithftanding 
they recover'd, it was a long time before they were able to 
continue their Voyage. This Diftemper difappointed all 
their meafures, and was the occafion of feveral misfortunes 
that befell them afterwards. They tarried there two whole 
Months, being reduc'd to the greateft Extremities ; their 
Powder was moft fpent, tho' they were not advanced above 
150 Leagues in a dire6l Line ; fome of their men had deferted, 
others began to be irrefolute ; and all thefe things being 
carefully confider'd by M. de la Salle, he refolved to return 
to Fort Lewis. [28] Every body approv'd his Defign, and 
fo they returned the fame way without meeting with any 
remarkable Accident, except that one of them was fwallowed 



1 Either the Neches or the Sabine River. The Nassonis ( Assony) were apparently 
a Caddoan tribe. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 417 

by a Crocodile of a prodigious Size, as they repaffed the 
Wicked River. 

They returned to their Camp the 17th of October 1686, 
being received with an incredible Joy by their Companions, 
who thought them as good as loft amongft thefe barbarous 
Nations. 



n-5 



41 8 A Voyage into North America. 



CHAP. V. 

A Short Defcription of Fort Lewis, of its advantageous Situation, 
and of the Fertility of the Country about it. 

WHAT has been already obferved Is enough to fhew the 
Charadler of M. ^^ la Salle, and that never Traveller 
was more undaunted, and conilant in his undertakings than 
him. All the misfortunes and accidents we have mention'd, 
were not enough to deje6t his Courage, nor deterr him from 
his former Defigns, In which through the Grace of God he 
expeded to fucceed. 

He remained two Months and a half at Fort Lewis, 
during which time he took a view of all the Rivers that run 
into that Bay, and found above 50 which are Navigable, if 
we may believe Father Anaflafe, who was with him : They 
come moft of them from the Weft and North-Weft. The 
Fort is fituated in a fandy Ground, but the Soil about is very 
fertile. There are large Meadows in which the Grafs grows 
as high as our Wheat in Europe. Thefe Rivers are very fre- 
quent, being commonly at 2 or 3 Leagues diftance. Their 
Banks are adorn'd with Oak, Mulberry-Trees, [29] and other 
Sorts of Trees, fome whereof are altogether unknown in 
Europe. The Country is all alike going to the Weftward, till 
within two Day's Journey of the Spaniards. 

This Fort is fituated on a rifing Ground, on the Bank of 



A Voyage into North America. 4^9 

a River, having the Sea to the South-Eaft, the Meadows to 
the Weft, and two large Ponds, and a Foreft to the South- 
Weft ; the neareft Neighbours are the Guoaquis, who have 
abundance of Horfes, and the Bahamos and Guinets, who are 
wandering Nations, with whom M. de la Salles was in War. 
He forgot nothing during that time to comfort his fmall 
Colony, which began to multiply, feveral Children being 
born fince their Arrival. He imployed his men about grub- 
bing up the Lands, which as I have faid, proved very good 
and fertile. In the mean time our MilHonaries applied 
themfelves to the Inftru6tion of fome Savage Families, who 
left their own Nation to live with the Europeans. M. de la 
Salle us'd them with all poftible kindnefs, knowing how 
advantageous it would be to win thofe barbarous Nations 
over to his Intereft. 

M. de la Salle having caft up an Intrenchment about a 
large Inclofure, wherein were the Habitations of the Colony, 
under the Cannon of the Fort, and taken all other precau- 
tions for their Security, called the Inhabitants together, and 
made fo pathetical a Speech to them about the Neceffity he 
was under to make a Voyage to the Illinois Country, that he 
drew Tears from every one of the Affembly, confidering 
the Danger and Fatigue of fo great a Voyage, for he was 
very much beloved. He took 20 men with him with his 
Brother, his two Nephews, Father Anaftafe^ and one Joujlel a 
Ploto ; and after publick Prayers, he fet out a fecond time 
from Fort Lewis, refolv'd not to return till he had found 
the Illinois. 



420 A Voyage into North America. 



[30] CHAP. VI. 

An Account of M. de la Salle'i fecond Voyage^ from the Bay of St. 
Lewis, to the Illinois. 

MDE LA SALLE with 20 men fet out from his Fort on 
• the 7th of January 1687, and met the firft Day a 
great Band of Bahamos^ who were going upon a military 
Expedition againft the Savages, called Trigoanna. He made 
alliance with them, and defigned to do the like with the 
Guinets, whom he met alfo, but they ran away upon his 
approach : However having overtaken them by means of his 
Horfes, they agreed together, and promifed on both fides 
an inviolable Peace. 

They continued their March to the North-Eaft, and 
croffed the firft River, which they had called before the River 
of Canes, becaufe the Banks of it are covered with them. 
The Country is diverfified with Meadows and Woods, and 
the Soil is fo fertile, that Grafs grows 10 or 12 Foot high. 
There are feveral populous Villages of Savages upon that 
River, but they vifited only the Guaras and Anachorema. 
They croffed the fecond River of Canes, diftant 3 Leagues 
from the former.^ Its Banks are inhabited by feveral dif- 
ferent Nations, and the Country is full of Hemp which 



^ Probably the Colorado of Texas. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 421 

grows naturally in thofe Parts. They met 5 Leagues further 
another River call'd Sablonniere^ becaufe it flows through a 
fandy ground, tho' the Grafs of the Meadows near its Banks 
fheweth the Fertility of the Soil. 

Having paffed three or four fmall Rivers, they found 8 
Leagues from the Sablonniere the River Robeck,^ whofe Banks 
are peopled with feveral Villages of Savages, who fpeak, in 
a manner from their Throat. They are in War with the 
Spaniards, and defir'd M. [31] de la Salle to joyn with them, 
but he had bufinefs elfe where, and with 20 men alone he 
was not able to do any great things againft the Spaniards. 
He remain'd five or fix days with them, and from thence 
continued his march to the fVicked River, fo called, becaufe 
a Crocodile had devour'd one of his men. That River has 
a long courfe, and is inhabited by 40 Villages of Savages, 
which compofes the Nation Kanoatinno, which are likewife at 
War with the Spaniards. They went through fome of their 
Villages where they were kindly receiv'd ; tho', if we may 
believe Father Anaftaje, the cruelties of the Spaniards have 
fomewhat chang'd their good Nature into fiercenefs. This, 
I take to be M. de la Sailers Opinion; for in all his Travels 
he endeavoured to reprefent the Spaniards as the moft odious 
and cruel Nation in the World. I muft own, as I have 
already intimated, that the Spaniards were forc'd to deflroy 
feveral Nations in New Mexico, but they were oblig'd to it 
to preferve themfelves againft them, for elfe the Natives 



^ Thus named from a river in the vicinity of Rouen, France ; it may have been the 
St. Bernard.— Ed. 



422 A Voyage into North America. 

would have deftroy'd them. 'Tis certain, that the Savages 
have no kindnefs for the Europeans^ and keep fair with them, 
only as long as they fear them. But I wonder, that M. de 
la Salle fhould blame fo much the Spaniards^ and yet form 
the Enterprize he was about, feeing it was impoffible for him 
to fucceed without deftroying the Spaniards themfelves ; and 
as to their Tyranny, I remember to have convinc'd him more 
than once, that the Spatiijh Domination is eafier and milder 
than any other he could name. 

yi. de la Salle having got fome Horfes from thofe Savages, 
croffed the River in Canou's made of Skins of wild Oxen, 
the Horfes fwimming over ; and four Leagues from thence 
crofs'd the River Hiens or Hans, already mention'd, con- 
tinuing their march to the North-Eaft. They crofs'd feveral 
other Rivers and Brooks, which were mightily fwoln by the 
Rains [32] that fall in that Country about that time, which 
is their Winter, the difference of Seafons being only known 
by thofe Rains. The Country they travell'd through is 
diverfified with Meadows, Woods, Groves, Hills and Springs. 
They came at laft to three great Villages call'd Taraha, 
Tyakappan and Palonna, where they found good Horfes. 
They met fome Leagues further the Palaqueffons, a People 
compos'd of ten Villages. Thefe are in Alliance with the 
Spaniards. 

I cannot but wonder at Father Anaftafe^s negledling to 
make a more exadl Diary of their Voyage, and to be more 
particular about fo many different Nations he fpeaks off, and 
therefore I defire the Reader to give me leave to make now 



A Voyage into North America. 423 

and then fome Refledlions upon this Voyage of M. ^^ la Salle^ 
having fo intimately known that Gentleman, and travell'd fo 
long with him in America. My Defcription of Louifiana^ 
which I printed at Paris^ did him a very great kindnefs in 
relation to his Enterprize. 



424 A Voyage into North America. 



[33] CHAP. VII. 

M. de la Salle and three more are unfortunately murther'd by fome 
of their own Party. 

AFTER they had gone through fo many different Nations 
as is above related, there fell out a moll: unhappy Acci- 
dent, to wit, the Affaffination of M. de la Salle, his Nephew 
M Granger, and fome others. M. de la Salle was then in a fine 
Country for hunting : His People regal'd themfelves very 
plentifully, and refrefh'd themfelves after their tirefome 
Travel with excellent good Chear for feveral days together : 
He had fent M. Moranger his Nephew, his Laquey Saget, 
and feven or eight of his men to a certain place, where Nika 
his Huntsman, who was a Savage Chaoiienon had laid up a 
ftock of wild Bulls Flefh, that they might get it fmoak'd and 
dry'd to carry along with them, and fo not be oblig'd to 
halt fo frequently to hunt for Provifions. 

With all his Prudence, M. de la Salle could not difcover 
the Confpiracy of fome of his People to kill his Nephew, for 
they refolv'd upon it, and put it in Execution all of a fudden 
on the 17th of March, wounding him in the head with a 
Hatchet. The Blow was ftruck by a Perfon whom Father 
Anaflafius out of Charity would not name ; they flew likev/ife 
the Laquey and poor Nika, who had provided for them by 




The muT-tAef- of moTtf." de /a. Sa//^ 



A Voyage into North America. 425 

his Hunting for three years together with toil and danger: 
Moranger languifhed under his Wound for two Hours, during 
which time, he gave all poffible tokens of his Piety, forgiving 
his Murtherers, and embracing them frequently, refigning 
himfelf up to God's good Pleafure, and relying upon his 
Saviour's Merits, as his very Murtherers acknowledg'd, when 
their [34] Rage was cool'd : He was a very honeft man and 
a good Chriftian. 

Thefe Wretches not content with this bloody Fa6t, re- 
folv'd not to flick there, but contriv'd how to kill their 
Mafter too, for they fear'd he would have juftly punifh'd 
them for their Crime. Father Anaftafms fays, They were two 
Leagues off the place where Moranger was kill'd, and that 
M. de la Salle being concern'd at his Nephews tarrying fo 
long (for. they had been gone two or three days) was afraid 
they might have been furpriz'd by fome Party of the Savages ; 
whereupon he defir'd Father Anaftafms to go with him to look 
after his Nephew, and took two Savages along with him ; 
upon the way M. de la Salle entertain'd 'em with a pious 
Difcourfe of Grace and Predeftination ; but chiefly he en- 
larg'd upon the great Obligations he was under to divine 
Providence for preferving him in the many dangers he had 
undergone during a twenty Years abode in America^ nine of 
which he fpent in travelling, and I with him ; he feem'd to 
be peculiarly affeded with God's Goodnefs to him, when all 
of a fudden. Father Anaftafms obferv'd that he fell into a 
deep Sorrow of which he himfelf could give no account ; he 
grew mighty unquiet and full of trouble, a temper he was 



426 A Voyage into North America. 

never feen in before ; Father Anajlafms did all he could to 
recover him out of it. 

They were got about two Leagues, when he found his 
Lacquey's bloody Cravat, and perceiv'd two Eagles (a com- 
mon Bird in thofe parts) hovering over his head, at the fame 
time he fpied his People by the Water-fide : he went up to 
them and enquired for his Nephew, they made him little an- 
fwer, but pointed to the place where he lay. Father j^najiafms 
kept going on by the River fide, till at laft they came to the 
fatal place, where two of the Villains lay hid in the Grafs, 
one on one fide, and one on the other, with [^S^ their Pieces 
cock'd, the firft prefented at M. de la Salle but mifs'd Fire, 
the other fired at the fame time, and fhot him into the head, 
of which he dy'd an Hour after, March 19. 1687.^ 

Father Anajlafms expeded the fame fate, but did not 
refledl upon the danger he was in ; he was fenfibly touch'd 
at this cruel Spedlacle, feeing M. de la Salle fall a Httle way 
off from him with his Face all bloody ; he ran to him, took 
him up in his Arms, and wept over him, exhorting him as 
well as he could in this Conjun6ture to die like a good 
Chriftian ; the unfortunate Gentleman had been at his De- 
votions juft before they fet out, and had juft time enough to 
confefs part of his Life to Father Anajlafms^ who gave him 
Abfolution, and foon after he died : In thefe his lafl Moments 
he perform'd as far as he was capable what foever was proper, 
for one in his condition, he prefs'd the Father's hand at every 



^ On early eighteenth-century maps, the locality of the assassination is marked on 
a southern branch of Trinity River. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 427 

thing he faid to him, efpecially when he admonifh'd him to 
forgive his Enemies ; mean while the Murtherers ftruck with 
Horror at what they had committed, began to beat their 
Breads, and deteft their Rafhnefs. Father Anajlafius would 
not ftir from the place till he had bury'd the Body as decently 
as he could, and plac'd a Crofs over his Grave. 

Thus fell the Sieur Robert Cavelier de la Salle, a Man of 
confiderable Merit, conflant in Adverfities, fearlefs, generous, 
courteous, ingenious, learned and capable of every thing ; he 
labour'd for twenty years together to civihze the favage 
Humours and Manners of a great number of barbarous 
People among whom he travell'd, and had the ill hap to be 
maffacred by his own Servants, whom he had enrich'd : he 
dy'd in the Vigour of his Age In the middle of his Courfe, 
before he could execute the deligns he had form'd upon New 
Mexico. 



428 A Voyage into North America. 



[36] CHAP. VIII. 

The Author's RefleSlions upon the Life and Death of M. de la Salle, 
whofe Murtherers kill'd one another. 

MDE LA SALLE told me feveral times, whilft we were 
e together in Fort Frontenac, before we went upon our 
Difcoveries, and alfo when we were in purfuit of them, that 
when he was a Jefuit, having liv'd 10 or 11 years in that 
Order, the Fathers of that Society caus'd frequent Ledures 
to be read during the firft two Years to all thofe that enter'd 
into the Society, of the tragical Deaths and fatal Mifcarriages 
that overtook fuch as had quitted their Order; and this was 
done to fix thofe that were newly entred ; I ought to fay this 
out of Juftice to M. de la Salle^ who formerly depofited in my 
hands all his Papers, whilft he took a Voyage to France, and 
I ftaid at Fort Frontenac, that he quitted his Order with the 
confent of his Superiours, and that he had written Tefti- 
monials of his good Condudl during his ftay in that Society. 
He fhew'd me a Letter written at Rome by the General of 
that Order, wherein he teftified that the faid Sieur de la Salle 
had behav'd himfelf prudently in every thing without giving 
the leaft occafion to be fufpeded guilty of a venial Sin. 

I have a hundred times refledled upon what he has faid 
to me, when we entertain'd our felves with the Stories of our 



A Voyage into North America. 429 

new DIfcoveries, and I ador'd God for the unfearchablenefs 
of his ways, who accomplifhes his Will by thofe means he is 
pleafed to appoint ; and uncertain as I was of my Deftiny, 
I gave my felf up to his good pleafure, refolv'd to fubmit 
patiently in every thing to his divine Providence. Father 
Anajiafius [37] arriv'd at length where was M. Cavelier^ a 
Prieft, Brother of the Defund M. de ia Salle, to whom he 
related his Death, the Murtherers came rudely into the fame 
Cabbin or Hut prefently after, and feiz'd upon all they found 
in it, the good Father had not leifure for a long Harangue, 
but his Countenance bath'd in Tears, was a fufficient Intima- 
tion of what he had to fay : M. Cavelier at firft fight of him, 
cry'd out, ah! my Brother is dead. I cannot forbear pre- 
fenting the publick with fome account of this Prieft, M. 
Cavelier, with whom I fojourn'd in Canada during one Sum- 
mer of my MifTion to Fort Frontenac, of which his Brother 
was Governour and Proprietor. He was a pious and dif- 
creet Ecclefiaftick, perfe6lly qualified for a Mifiionary : He 
no fooner heard this fatal News, but he fell down upon his 
Knees, and fo did the Sieur Cavelier his Nephew, expeding 
the Villains came to butcher them, and therefore prepar'd 
themfelves to die like Chriftians ; but the Affafiines mov'd 
with Compaffion at the fight of the venerable old Man, and 
being forry befides for their late wicked Deeds, refolv'd to 
fpare them, upon condition that they fhould never return 
into France, but they were a long time e'er they fixt upon 
granting them Mercy ; fome of them that had a mind to fee 
their Kindred once again, endeavour'd as well as they could 



43° ^ Voyage into North America. 

to clear themfelves from fo deteftable an Adlion ; others faid, 
'twas fafeft to rid their hands of thefe two innocent men, or 
elfe they might one day call them to an account, if ever they 
met again in France. 

They chofe for their Leader the Murtherer of M. de la 
Salle, and upon Deliberation they refolv'd to go to the fa- 
mous Nation of the Cenis already fpoken of ; fo they march'd 
altogether for feveral days, and pafs'd divers Rivers. Thefe 
infamous Murtherers made the two Caveliers ferve them as 
Valets, and gave them nothing but their leavings to eat. 
They arriv'd without [38] any rub at the place they wifli'd 
for. A Conteft rifes betwixt a German of J'Fittembiirg, nam'd 
Hans, and him that murther'd M. de la Salle, about the Supe- 
riority of Command, upon this their men divide themfelves 
into two Parties, one follows Hans, the other the Murtherer. 
They were come away from the Cenis amongfl: whom they 
tarry'd fome time, and arriv'd at the Najfonis, where the four 
Deferters whom I mention'd before, rejoyn'd them. Thus 
they were all got together upon Afcenfion Eve, and the Quarrel 
betwixt the two Parties, being blown up to that height, that 
they determin'd to murther one another. Father Anaftafms 
made an Exhortation to them upon the Feftival day, with 
which they feem'd to be fo touch'd, that they made as if they 
would confefs themfelves ; but they did not continue long in 
that mind. Thofe that moft regretted their Mafters murther, 
took to Hans^s fide. This man two days after taking his 
opportunity, punifh'd one crime with another, for he fir'd a 



A Voyage into North America. 431 

PIftol at the Murtherer oi M. de la Salle, the Bullet peirc'd 
his Heart, and he drop'd dead upon the place. One of 
Hans^s Crew (hot him that kill'd M. Moranger in the fide, 
and before he could well recover himfelf, another let fly juft 
at his Head, there was no Ball in his Musket, but the Powder 
fet fire to his Hair, which catch'd his Shirt and Cloaths with 
fo much violence and quicknefs, that he could not put it 
out, but expir'd in the Flame. The third Confpirator took 
to his Heels and fav'd himfelf; Hans was mighty eager to 
make fure of him, and finifh in his Death, the vengeance due 
to M. ^^ la Salle ; but the Sieur Joutel made 'em Friends, and 
fo the matter refled for that time. 

Thus Hans became the chief Leader of this miferable 
Troop ; they refolv'd to return to the Cents, amongft whom 
they defign'd to fettle, for they durft not venture back into 
Europe for fear of meeting the punifhment [39] their Crimes 
deferv'd : At that time the Cenis were up in arms and ready 
to march out to fight with the Kanoadnno a cruel People, 
their implacable Enemies. When they take any Prifoners, 
they throw them alive into a Caldron and boyl them. The 
Cenis then took Hans and fome other Europeans along with 
them, the reft waited till they fhould return, though Hans 
would fain have perfwaded them all to go, but they would 
not ftir. When Hans was gone, they departed out of the 
Country of the Cenis, and amongft 'em were the two Caveliers, 
the Sieur Joutel, Father Anaflafius and others ; each had his 
Horfe, Powder, and Lead, with fome Goods to defray their 



432 A Voyage into North America. 

Charges upon the way; they made a halt in the Country of 
the Najfonis to celebrate the 0£lave of la fete dieu. In their 
Relations, they fay, that the people entertain'd them perpet- 
ually with Stories of the Cruelty of the Spaniards towards 
the Americans^ and told them twenty feveral Nations were 
going to make war upon the Spaniards^ and invited them to 
go along with them, becaufe, faid they, you will do more 
execution with your Guns, than all our Warriors with their 
Maces and Arrows. But they had other defigns in their 
Heads, and took occafion in thefe Difcourfes to give them 
to underftand that they were come amongft them by exprefs 
order from God, to inftrudl them in the knowledge of the 
Truth, and fet them right in the way to Salvation, and this 
was their employment for lo or 12 days to the 3d of June. 

I make no queftion, but M. Cavelier the Prieft, and 
Father Anajlafius endeavour'd to their utmoft to give light to 
thefe Najfonis and deliver them out of their ignorance. But 
the four other Europeans that were in their company were not 
enough in number to terrifie the Spaniards who are us'd to fire- 
arms ; befides they did not underftand the Language of thefe 
[40] People, and therefore I cannot eafily comprehend how 
they could gather from the Difcourfe of thefe Najfonis, that 
the Spaniards were fo cruel to the Americans; they had no 
Interpreters along with them, fo that they could not under- 
ftand a word of what was faid to them by thefe People, who 
had never feen any other Europeans before them. 

Moreover 'tis certain, that fince the days of the Emperour 



A Voyage into North America. 433 

Charles the Fifth, the Spaniards have not dar'd to execute 
any Cruelties upon the Natives of Nciio Mexico, becaufe they 
have too few of their own Subjedls to guard their Conquefts 
againft the infults of their neighbouring Indians, were they 
irritated. No, they live peaceably with them, and trouble no 
body, unlefs they are firft attack'd. 



n-6 



434 A Voyage into North America. 



[41] CHAP. IX. 

The Cenis permit M. Cavelier the Prieji, and Father Anaftafius 
with their Company^ to continue their Journey thorough feveral 
barbarous Nations. 

THE Cenis gave thefe fix Europeans two Savages for Guides, 
who took their way thorough the fineft Country in the 
World Northwards, and North-Eaftwards ; they pafs'd over 
four great Rivers, and many Channels made by the Rain, 
inhabited by divers Nations Eaftward, they came among the 
Haquis, the Nabiri, or the Naanfi, a valiant People at War 
with the Cenis, at length they arrived near the Cadodacchos,^ 
June the 13th, one of their Guides went before to inform the 
Barbarians of their coming. The chief Men and the Youth, 
whom they found a League from their Village, receiv'd them 
with the Calumet, and gave them fome Tobacco ; fome led 
their Horfes by the Bridle, and others carried them about in 
Triumph ; they faid they were Spirits come from the other 
World. 

All the Village being come together, the Women accord- 
ing to their Cuftom wafh'd their Heads and Feet with warm 
Water, after which they were feated upon a Bench cover'd 

iThe Caddoes, on Red River.— Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 435 

with neat white Mats ; then they went to revelHng, dancing 
to the Calumet^ and made other publick rejoycings Day and 
Night. Thefe People knew nothing of the Europeans but 
by Report, 'tis to be prefum'd they have fome fhadow of 
Religion amongft 'em, but all their Idea$ are very confus'd, 
and their Notions unaccountable, they feem to worlhip the 
Sun, becaufe they fend up the Smoak of their Tobacco to 
him, though they have their [42] fhare on't ; their Cere- 
monial Habits have commonly two Suns defcribed upon 
them, and upon the reft of the Body reprefentations of wild 
Bulls, Deer, Serpents, or other Animals ; the two religious 
Europeans took occafion from hence, to give them fome Lef- 
fons concerning the true God, and the principal Myfteries of 
Chriftianity ; 'tis to be fuppos'd all this was done by Signs. 

In this place God afflidied them by a Tragical Accident, 
the Sieur Marne maugre all Diffwafions, would needs bath 
himfelf, June the 24th at Night. M. Cavelier^ Nephew to 
Nl. de la Salle went along with him to the River-fide, which 
lies pretty near the Village. Marne threw himfelf into the 
Water, and never came up again. 'Twas a Whirlpool that 
fuck'd him in, and drowned him in a moment. 

A little after his Body was drawn out of the Water, and 
carried to the Captain's Houfe ; all the Village lamented his 
Death: The Captain's Wife wrapt him up decently in a hand- 
fome Mat, while fome young Men dug a Grave for him, 
which Father Anaftafius bleft ; and then they committed him 
to the Earth with all pofiible Solemnity. The Barbarians 



43^ A Voyage into North America. 

admlr'd the Ceremonies of his Interment, and above all, the 
finging of the Pfalms at his Obfequies. Upon this they 
offer'd them inftru6lions about the immortality of the Soul, 
and continued to teach them for Eight days, for fo long they 
tarried after in that fatal Place; the dead Man was buried 
upon an Eminence near the Village, his Grave was fenc'd 
about with Pallifado's, and a great Crofs fet up over it 
which was made by the Savages : They departed out of this 
Country, 'July the 2d. 

Thefe People dwell upon the Side of a River, where three 
other Nations inhabit, the Natchoos^ Natchetes and Ouidiches. 
The Travellers were receiv'd very kindly by all of them. 
From the River of [43] the Cenisy where they firfb met with 
Beavers and Otters ; the farther they advanced Northward, 
the greater Number they found of thofe Animals. Whilil 
they fojourned among the Ouidiches^ they met with three 
Warriours of two Nations call'd the Cahinnio, and the Men- 
tons, who dwelt twenty five Leagues farther, Eaft-North-Eaft, 
and had feen fome Frenchmen. They offer'd to condu(5l 'em 
to their Countrymen, and by the way they crofs'd four Rivers 
and Brooks, or Torrents made by the Rain, there they were 
receiv'd by thefe Nations with the Calumet of Peace in their 
Hands, with all poflible Tokens of Gladnefs and Efteem. 
Many of thefe Savages talkt to 'em of an European, who was a 
Captain, and had but one Hand ; this was the Sieur de Tonti 
a Neapolitan, mention'd in my firft Volume. They added, 
that he told 'em, that a greater Captain than himfelf would 



A Voyage into North America. 437 

probably pafs by their Village ; meaning the Sieur de la Salle. 

The chief Man among them lodg'd them in his Cabbin 
or Hutt, and made his Family go out of it ; there they were 
treated feveral Days with all forts of good Cheer. Nay, they 
order'd a folemn Feaft to be kept publickly, wherein they 
danc'd to the Calumet four and twenty Hours together, and 
fung Songs made purpofely for the occafion, which their Cap- 
tain didlated to them as loud as he could, they entertain'd 
'em as Envoys from the Sun, who came to defend them from 
their Enemies with Thunderbolts, meaning their Mufquets 
which they had never feen before ; in the heat of these re- 
joycings the younger Cavelier let off his Piftol three times, 
crying out Vive le Roy, which the Barbarians repeated with a 
loud Voice ; adding, long live the Sun. 

Thefe Savages have a prodigious Number of Beavers and 
Otters in their Country, which might be ealily exported by 
a River near the Village ; thefe [44] Savages would have 
loaded their Horfes with them, but they refus'd them to (hew 
they were free from any Self defign, and prefented the Bar- 
barians with Hatchets and Knives ; at laft they went away 
with two Cahinnio^s to guide them ; after they had receiv'd 
the Ambaffadours from the Analau, the Tanico, and other 
Nations Northweft, and South Weftward, they travers'd for 
fome Days the fineft Country in the World full of Rivers, 
Meadows, little Woods, Hills, and Vineyards. 

Among others they crofs'd over four large Navigable 
Rivers, and after a March of about fixty Leagues, they came 



43 8 A Voyage into North America. 

to the OJfotteoez,^ who dwell upon a Noble River running 
from the North-Weft, upon whofe Banks grow the fineft 
Woods in the Univerfe. 

The Skins of Beavers and Otters are every where found 
in fo great a Quantity, as well as all other kinds of Hides 
and Skins of Beafts, that they throw 'em all in a heap and 
burn them, of fo little value are they accounted. 'Tis upon 
the famous River of the Akanfa that fo many Villages ftand, 
as I mention'd in the firft Tome of my Difcoveries, 

Father Anaftafius fays in his Relation, that there they be- 
gan to know where-abouts they were : At the fame time he 
knew very well, that neither he nor any Man in his Company 
had ever been upon the River Mefchafipi : Indeed I went up 
it by my felf, with two Indians in a Canou in 1680, and after- 
wards in 1682, M. de la Salle went up it as high as Akanfa: 
'Tis highly probable. Father Anajlafius thought he was then 
at Fort Crevecmir^ fituated in the Country of the Illinois^ be- 
caufe he found a great Crofs there, and beneath it the King 
of France's Arms ; befides he faw a Houfe built after the 
European way, and upon this the Sieur Joutel^ and two more 
that were left difcharged their Mufquets. At the Noife of 
the Guns out came two French Canadans^ their Commander's 
[45] Name was M. Couture ^^ whom I knew particularly well 



1 The U-zu-ti-u-hi (in nomenclature of U. S. Bureau of Ethnology; called by 
early writers Sitteou or Sauthois); a division of the Siouan Kwapa (Kappa) tribe 
(see p. 177, note i, ante). — Ed. 

2 Couture, a carpenter from Rouen, had accompanied Tonty in his fruitless search 
for La Salle (in the spring of 1686) . Tonty left six of his men at the Indian villages 
on the Arkansas River ; among these was Couture. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 439 

when I lived in Canada^ and was one that made the Voyage 
along with us to difcover the Louifiana. This M. Couture 
gave them to know, that he was Pofted there by the Sieur 
de Tonti, by order of M. de la Salle, to keep up an Alliance 
with the Neighbouring Savage Nations, and guard them 
againft the Infults of the Iroquois, their (worn Foes. 

They vifited three Villages, the Forimans, the Dodinga^ 
and the Kappa; they receiv'd 'em every where with Feafts, 
Speeches, Dances, and all other Expreflions of Joy. They 
were lodg'd in the Houfe belonging to this fmall Fort. 
Thefe of Canada that were fettled there entertain'd 'em very 
kindly, and made them Matters of all. Whatever Affairs 
thefe Savages contefted about they never decided them im- 
mediately, but fummon'd together the Chief men, and the 
moft Ancient of the Villages, and deliberated upon the mat- 
ter in difpute. Thefe Travellers ask'd them for a Pyrogue, 
and fome Savages in it to go up the River Mefchafipi, as far 
as the Illinois, by the River of that Nation, which in my Map 
of Louifiana, I call the River of Seignelay, in honour to the 
Minifter of State of that Name, who favour'd and took care 
about our Difcovery. Father Anaftafius fays they offer'd their 
Horfes, fome Powder and Lead in exchange for the Pyrogue. 
After the Counfel had met upon this Subject, they came to 
a refolution to grant them the Pyrogue they demanded, and 
four Savages to man it, one of each Nation to fignify the 



1 These names are more correctly given by the Jesuit Paul de Poisson {Jes. 
Relations, Ixvii, p. 319), as Tourimas and Tougingas ; they also were Kwapa 
bands. — Ed. 



440 A Voyage into North America. 

ftridl Alliance they had made with them. This was pundtually 
executed, fo they difmifs'd the Cahinnio with Prefents to their 
fatisfadlion. 

Upon this Head I would obferve, without pretending to 
refledl upon Nl. de la Salle, that he undoubtedly never found 
out the true Mouth of the River Mefcbafipi, nor Father 
Anaftafius neither, who never [46] was in that Part of the 
Country ; and if the laft did luckily light upon it by help of 
the Savages that guided him, 'twas owing to the Diredlions 
he receiv'd from M. Couture, Commander of the Skonce^; 
but it may be he will give us more light into this matter 
hereafter. 



^Apparently a misprint for Akansa. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 441 



CHAP. X. 

The Voyage of the Sieur Cavelier a Prieft^ and Father Anaftafius 
a Recollect in a Pyrogue to the Illinois, and feveral Obferva- 
tions concerning their Return. 

AFTER they had tarried a little time among thefe People, 
M. Cavelier, and Father AnaftafiiiSy Embarked in the 
River of Mefchafipi, Aug. i. they croffed the River the fame Day 
in a Pyrogue of 40 Foot long. The ftream was very ftrong in 
that Place, fo they went all a-fhoar to travel the reft of the 
Journey on Foot, becaufe they had left their Horfes atAkanfa, 
though they had done better perhaps to have kept them : 
They left no Soul in the Pyrogue but young Cavelier, whofe 
tender Age joyn'd with the Fatigue of travelling fo far, made 
him uncapable of profecuting the Journey on Foot. Father 
Anaftafius thinks that from the place where they fet out to 
the Illinois, they had 400 Leagues to march a foot before 
they could get thither; but all this is fpoken by guefs. 

One of the Savages went aboard the Pyrogue to fteer it 
along the River, and one of his Comerades reliev'd him from 
time to time. The reft of the Company made no ufe of the 
Pyrogue, but only when they had occafion to avoid a danger- 
ous Place, or crofs any Rivers; [47] they underwent a great 
deal of Toil in this Voyage, the Heats were exceflive in that 



442 A Voyage into North America. 

feafon, the fand was burnt by the Sun, but more than all, 
the want of Food, which they endur'd feveral days, reduc'd 
'em to extreme hardfhip. 

Father Anaftafius adds. That they were got 200 Leagues 
over land from the Bay of St. Louis, that is to fay, 100 
Leagues to the Cenis, 60 to the North North-Eaft, and 40 to 
the Eaft North-Eaft : from the Najfonis to the Cadodacchos 40 
North North-Eaflward, from the Cadodacchos to the Cahinnio 
and the Mentous 25 to the Eaft North-Eaft, and from the 
Cahinnio to the Akanfa 60 Eaft North-Eaft. 

They continued their Progrefs up the River by the fame 
way, that they had heard M. de la Salle went in 82, except 
that they went to Sicacha} Father Anaftafius, fays M. de la 
Salle was not there. I made mention of this Nation in my 
Difcovery in 80, in the preceding Volume ; their principal 
Village is twenty five Leagues Eaft from Akanfa. The People 
are robuft and numerous, confifting at leaft of 4000 fighting 
Men : They have abundance of all forts of Skins and Hides. 
Their Leaders often brought the Calumet to them to fignifie 
that they were willing to make an Alliance with them ; nay 
they offer'd to go and fettle themfelves upon the River 
Ouabache to be nearer Fort Crevecceur in the Country of the 
Illinois, whither they were travelling. 

This famous River of Ouabache [Ohio] is full as large as 
Mefchafipi; a great many other Rivers run into it, the out- 
let where it difcharges it felf into Mefchafipi is 200 Leagues 



^ A village of the Chicasas ; the distance here given would locate it on the Yazoo 
River. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 443 

from Akanja according to M. de la Salle's Computation; the 
truth is it is not fo far crofs the Country, but it may be as 
much in following the courfe of the River Mefchaftpi^ which 
winds about very much. Straight over land 'tis not above 5 
good days journey. 

[48] They crofs'd the River Ouabache, Aiigiifl 26. and 
found it full 60 Leagues along the River Mejchafipi to the 
mouth of the River of the Illinois^ about 6 Leagues below 
the mouth of that River North- Weftward, is the famous 
River of the Maffourites or the Ofages, which is as large at 
leaft as the River it falls into. It is made up of feveral other 
known navigable Rivers inhabited by numerous Nations, as 
the Panimaha, who have but one Captain and 22 Villages, the 
leaft of which contains 200 Cabbins. The Paneajfa, the Pana, 
the Panaloga, and the Metotantes, each of which is as confid- 
erable as the Panimaha} 

The Ofages have 17 Villages upon a River of their name, 
that difcharges it felf into that of the Majfourites. Our Maps 
and thofe of M. de la Salle, have placed the Ofages there. 
Formerly the Akanfa dwelt a great way up one of thefe Rivers, 
which bears their name ftill, and which I take notice of about 
the midft of the paffage of the River Oiiabache to that of the 
Majfourites^; there lies the Cape of St. Anthony of Padua, and 
thereabouts live the Savage Nation of the Manfopolea. 



^ A reference to the various Pawnee tribes. — Ed, 

2 Apparently this was the Saline River, which empties into the Mississippi a little 
below Ste. Genevieve, Mo. Although a small stream, it was regarded as important 
on account of the salt-springs near it ; salt-works were established there at an early 
date. — Ed. 



444 A Voyage into North America. 

Sept. 5. M. Cavelier and Father Anaftaftus arriv'd at the 
mouth of the River of the Illinois: 'tis reckon'd 100 Leagues 
from thence to Fort Crevecoeur^ as I remark'd in my firft Vol- 
ume. The paffage all the way is clear and navigable by large 
Veffels. A Chaouenon nam'd Turpin, having feen them enter 
his Village, ran by land to carry the News to M. Belle Fontaine, 
Commander of that Fort; he could not believe what he told 
him, but they follow'd apace after the Barbarian, and came 
to the Fort, Sept. 14. prefently they conduded them to the 
Chapel, where Te Deum was thankfully fung. The Canadans 
that were in the place, and fome Savages fir'd Volleys of 
Muskets. 

M. de Tonti, whom M. de la Salle defign'd to be Comman- 
der of Fort Crevecceur, was gone among the [49] Iroquois 
to difpofe thofe Barbarians to an Alliance. Thefe Travellers 
were receiv'd with all the kindnefs imaginable, and M. de Belle- 
Fountain omitted no Teflimony of his joy to fee them fafely 
arriv'd. 

It muft be confeft, that no man can evade his Deftiny. 
At the fame time it muft likewife be acknowledged that the 
Difafter of M. de la Salle had fomething very fatal in it ; he 
undertook this great Voyage with defign to find out the 
mouth of the River Mefchafipi, but unfortunately fell by the 
way without fucceeding in his enterprize, and yet jufl after 
his Death, his Brother, Father Anajlafius, &c. went up that 
River and arriv'd at the Illinois. 

'Tis indubitable, neverthelefs, that there is an excellent 
Haven at the mouth of this River, as I obferv'd in 80. The 



A Voyage into North America. 445 

entry into it is very convenient, as may be eafily feen. Of 
the three arms that compofe this out-let, I always follow'd 
the Channel of that in the middle. 'Tis a commodious Har- 
bour, and has feveral places fit to raife Fortreffes upon, that 
are in no danger of being overflow'd, as has formerly been 
thought. The lower part or mouth of the River is habitable, 
and is inhabited by feveral favage Nations that don't lie far 
from it. The greateft Veffels may go up above 200 Leagues 
from the Gulph of Mexico^ as far as the mouth of the River 
of the Illinois^ which River is navigable for above 100 
Leagues, and difcharges it felf into the River Mefchafipi. 
At the lower end of the River dwell feveral other Nations, 
which I forgot, as the Picheno, the Ozanbogus, the Tangibao^ 
the Ottonika, the Movifa^ and many others, whofe names 
eafily efcape ones Memory, when one pafl"es through them 
without leifure, or conveniency to take neceffary obfervations 
and notes. 

'Tis probable that M. de la Salle not finding the Mouth 
of that River in the Sea, fanfied that the Bay of St. Lewis, 
was not above 40 or 50 Leagues from the [50] Mouth of 
one of its Arms, at leaft in a ftrait line ; but by misfortune 
he never was at it. God fets bounds to all Men, and their 
Enterprifes, to all the defires of their Hearts, as well as to 
the vaft Ocean. 

Doubtlefs God permitted it fo to be, that Father Anafta- 
fius who is now Vicar of the Recolle6ts at Cambray, fhould 
difcover no Nations in his Travels, without taking into the 
Number many more Savage People well known to thofe he 



44^ A Voyage into North America. 

convers'd with en pajfant^ becaufe they traffick with them, 
which at the fame time were never feen by any European. 

Thefe People, as I have already noted, have very good 
Horfes, fit for any fervice in abundance. They think them- 
felves well paid for a Horfe, if one gives them a Hatchet. 

Father Anafiafius went from the Bay of St. Lewis to the 
Gulph of Mexico with defign to fettle a MifTion among the 
Cenis in his 2d Voyage. Father Zenobius Mambre Recoiled, 
who {laid behind at the faid Bay, was to have come and 
joyn'd him, to the end they might fpread the Faith among 
the neighbouring Nations. They expeded from Europe a 
great number of Labourers, but the death of M. de la Salle 
obliging him to proceed further he don't doubt but Father 
Zenobius has been there to look for him. 

So it may be he is now in that Country with Father 
Maximus a Recoiled and Native of Li/le m Flanders, and that 
they have left the Sieur Chefdeville a Miffionary of St. 
Sulpiciusy at the MifTion of the Port in that Bay. He deter- 
min'd himfelf to be there, becaufe there were nine or ten 
European Families there with their Children, befides fome of 
M. de la Salle's men have marry'd with the Women of the 
Country to augment the little Colony. This is the Extradl 
of Father Jnajiafius's account of his toilfome Voyage. What 
are become of the people left in thofe parts fince that time, 
we know not.^ 



^In April, 1689, a Spanish expedition, commanded by Aionzo de Leon, reached 
La Salle's Fort St. Louis in Texas; they found that it had been captured, three 
months before, by the Tejas (Texas) Indians, who slew most of the remaining 
colonists. Leon ransomed the few survivors, who had been enslaved by the Indians. 



A Voyage into North America. 447 

[51] Father Anaftafius conceal'd the deplorable Fate of 
M. de la Salle^ becaufe 'twas his duty as well as M. Cavelier^s 
the Prieft, to carry the firft news of it to Court, and fecure 
the effedls of the deceas'd in the faid Fort of the Illinois, 
becaufe he advanc'd Money upon the enterprize.^ He de- 
parted from the Illinois in the Spring, 1688, together with 
Father Anaftafius, young Cavelier, M. Joiitel, and one Bar- 
barian, who dwells at prefent near Verfailles ; they arriv'd at 
Quebec, July 27, and fet fail for France the 20th of Aiiguft 
following. God granted them a favourable paffage to Paris, 
after having run through incredible Dangers ; and they gave 
an account of their Voyage to the late Marquis de Seignelay. 

This is the ftory of M. de la Sailers laft Voyage, which I 
thought my felf oblig'd to give the world, becaufe 'tis a con- 
tinuation of mine, and confirms feveral things related in my 
account. I go on now to defcribe the Religion and Manners 
of thofe barbarous Nations, which I difcover'd in my Voyage. 



For more detailed accounts, see Parkman's La Salle, pp. 442-446; and A. F. 
Bandelier's " Southwestern Historical Contributions," in Papers (Amer. series) of 
Archaeological Institute of America, vol. v, pp. 180, 181. — Ed. 

^ Not only Douay, but even Cavelier (La Salle's own brother), deceived Tonty in 
this matter, telling him that La Salle was well, and would soon return to Illinois. 
Apparently this was done that Cavelier might secure goods and money from Tonty 
in La Salle's name. See Parkman's Z-a ■S'a//^, pp. 435, 437. — Ed. 



44^ A Voyage into North America. 



[52] CHAP. XI. 

The Author's Reflexions upon the Voyage to China ; the opinion of 
mofl of the Savages of North America concerning the Creation 
of the World, and the Immortality of the Soul. 

TTTMS a common faying, that Truth is the very Soul and 
X Effence of Hiftory : now this account of the Manners 
of the Savages of North America being taken fincerely, needs 
no other recommendation. Novelty and Variety joyn to- 
gether to pleafe the Reader, tho' I treat of barbarous un- 
pohfh'd People ; and therefore I hope, that a Defcription of 
200 different Nations, which I have either feen my felf, or 
been inform'd of by fome religious that have been among 
them, will divert the curious. 

The Son of God having foretold, that his Gofpel fhould 
be preach'd thoughout the Univerfe, the faithfull have always 
interefted themfelves in forwarding the accomplifhment of that 
Prophecy, and labour'd to convert thofe barbarous Nations 
who have no knowledge of the true God. 'Tis true, that 
multitude of favage People which inhabit the vaft Countries of 
America, have had their Eyes fhut againft the Light of Truth: 
but we have already begun to preach Chrift crucifi'd to them, 
to the beft of our skill, that we might bring them to Salva- 
tion. We hope therefore that thofe who are ftirr'd up by 



A Voyage into North America. 449 

the Love of God, will not be wanting for the future to finifh 
what we have begun, but endeavour the Salvation [53] of fo 
many Souls, who might not perifh, if Chriftians would help 
them to get out of their natural Blindnefs. To clear the way, 
and diredl the means to it, we are going to give an account 
of the Ideas thefe People have of Religion, and likewife of 
their Manners, that fo we may the more readily contrive the 
method of their Converfion, and in what manner to inftrudl 
them, to render them capable of receiving the truth and 
eternal Salvation. 

Our Difcoveries have acquainted us with moft part of 
North America., fo that I don't queftion if the King of Great 
Britain., and the States of Holland fhould think fit to fend us 
back thither to finifh what we have fo happily begun, but 
we fhould demonftrate what we could never yet give a clear 
account of, though many attempts have been made to it. It 
has been found impofTible hitherto to go to Japan by the 
Frozen Sea ; that Voyage has often been fruftrated ; and I 
am morally affur'd, that we can never fucceed in It, till we 
have firft difcovered the Continent betwixt the Frozen Sea 
and New Mexico. I am perfwaded that God preferv'd me in 
all the great dangers of my long Voyages, that I might per- 
fe6t that happy Difcovery ; and I here offer my felf to under- 
take it, not doubting the fuccefs of the Enterprize (God 
willing) provided I am furnifh'd with convenient means. 

I don't wonder, that the learned are at a lofs how America 

was peopled, and that infinite number of Nations fettled 

upon that vaft Continent. America is half the terreftrial 
n-7 



450 A Voyage into North America. 

Globe. The moft expert Geographers are not thoroughly 
acquainted with it, and the inhabitants themfelves, whom we 
difcover'd, and who in all likelihood fhould know beft, don't 
know [54] how their Anceftors came thither; and certainly 
if in Europe we wanted the Art of Writing (as thofe People 
do) which in a manner makes the dead live again, recalls 
what's paft, and preferves the memory of things, I am afraid 
we fhould not be lefs ignorant than thofe Savages. 

The greateft part of the Barbarians in North America have 
generally a Notion of fome fort of Creation of the World ; 
they fay. Heaven, Earth and Mankind were made by a 
Woman, and that fhe and her Son govern the World, and 
for this reafon, perhaps it is, that they reckon their Gene- 
alogies by Women. They fay farther, that the Son is the 
Author of all good things, and the Woman of all Evil. That 
both of them enjoy perfed Felicity. The Woman, they fay, 
fell out of Heaven big with Child, and lighted upon the back 
of a Tortife, who fav'd her from drowning.^ When we objed 
againft the Ridiculoufnefs of their Belief, they ufually anfwer, 
that fuch an Objedtion is of force with them that make it, 
but is of no weight againft them, becaufe they look upon 
themfelves to be created after another manner than the 
Europeans are. 

Other Savages upon the fame Continent, are of opinion, 

^This myth was current among the Huron tribes, and was related of a divinity 
named E-ya'-ta-hen-tsik (Ataentsic); her son was louskeha. They are regarded by 
Brinton as personifications of the moon and sun, respectively ; and, by J. B. Hewitt, 
as representing the goddess of night and earth, and the reproductive power which 
pervades Nature. See Jes. Relations, viii, p. 303 ; x, 323. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 451 

that a certain Spirit call'd Otkon by the Iroquois^ and Atahauta 
by the other Barbarians at the Mouth of the River of St. 
Laurence, is the Creator of the World, and that one Mejfou 
repair'd it after the Deluge. In this manner do they alter 
and confound by their Traditions that Knowledge of the 
univerfal Deluge, which their Anceftors probably had : they 
fay, that this Mejfou or Otkon being a hunting one day, his 
Dogs loft themfelves in a great Lake, which thereupon over- 
flowing, cover'd the whole Earth in a [55] fhort time, and 
fwallow'd up the World. They add. That this Mejfou or 
Otkon gather'd a little Earth together by the help of fome 
Animals, and made ufe of this Earth to repair the World 
again.^ They think the Europeans inhabit another World 
different from theirs ; and when we go about to undeceive 
them, and teach them truly how the univerfe was created, 
they fay all that may be true enough of the World we live 
upon, but 'tis quite another thing with theirs; Nay, they 
often ask us, whether we have a Sun and Moon in Europe as 
well as they. 

There are another fort of Savages who dwell at the 
Mouth of the River of St. Laurence and Mejchafipi, that tell 
us a very odd Story ; they fay much like the former that a 
Woman came down from Heaven, and hover'd a while in the 
Air, becaufe (he could find no place to fet her Foot upon. 
The Fifh of the Sea compaffionating her, held a Council to 
determine who fhould receive her. The Tortoife offer'd 



1 Messou (the same as Manabozhu and Michabou), a divinity revered among the 
Algonquian tribes. See Jes. Relations, index, under above names. — Ed. 



452 A Voyage into North America. 

himfelf, and prefented his Back above Water, the Woman 
plac'd her felf upon it, and ftaid there. In time the Filth of 
the Sea gathering and fetling about the Tortoife by little and 
Httle, form'd a great extent of Land, which at prefent is that 
we call America. 

Now fay they, this fame Woman being uneafie at her 
living folitarily, and troubled to have no body to pafs the 
time with, more agreeably than fhe did ; there defcended 
from on high a Spirit, who found her fain afleep with melan- 
choly ; he approach'd her unperceiv'd, and from that Con- 
jundlion came forth two Sons out of her fide ; thefe two 
Children could never agree together after they were grown 
up. One was a better Hunter than t'other, and every day 
there was fome fcuffling between 'em. At length [56] their 
Animofities grew to that Extremity, that they could not 
endure one another : One of them efpecially was of a very 
violent humour, and had a mortal hatred for his Brother, 
who was better temper'd, the laft unable any longer to fub- 
mit to the rude behaviour, and ill treatment which the other 
beftow'd upon him perpetually, refolv'd to feparate himfelf 
from him ; fo he flew up into Heaven, whence to denote his 
juft refentment, he rattles his Thunder from time to time 
over his unhappy Brother's head. 

Some time after the Spirit came down again to the 
Woman, and then fhe brought forth a Daughter from whom 
fay the Savages is defcended, that numerous People who now 
take up one of the largeft Parts of the Univerfe. 

How fabulous foever this Story be in it felf, yet we may 



A Voyage into North America. 453 

difcern a run of Truth in it. This Womans deep and the 
Birth of two Sons, has fomething in it akin to Adam's fleep, 
whilft God took one of his Ribs to form Eve. 

The difagreement of the two Brothers refembles the 
irreconcilable Hatred of Cain and Abel ; the retreat of one 
of 'em to Heaven, reprefents the Death of Abel^ and the 
Thunder grumbling in the Sky may be compar'd with the 
Curfe pronounc'd by God, upon the wretched Cain^ for inhu- 
manly killing his Brother. 

'Tis a lamentable thing to confider what wild Chimasra's 
the Devil puts in thefe People's heads. Tho' they believe 
that the Soul is Corporeal (for they underftand nothing elfe 
by their Otkon, Atabauta, or ManitoUy^ but fome material 
principal Being, that [57] gives life and motion to all things) 
neverthelefs they profefs their Belief of the Immortality of 
the Soul, and a Life to come, in which they fhall enjoy all 
forts of pleafure ; as Hunting, and Fifh in abundance. Corn 
for thofe that fow it, for fome never fow Corn ; Tobacco, 
and a thoufand other Curiofities and Conveniencies. They 
fay the Soul does not leave the Body as foon as it dies, and 
therefore they take care to lay by the Body a Bow, Arrows, 
Corn, and fat Meat, for the Dead to fubiift upon till they 
reach the Country of Souls. 

And becaufe they think all fenflble things have Souls, 
therefore they reckon that after Death, men hunt the Souls 
of Beavers, Elks, Foxes, Otters, and other Animals. They 



^General appellations given by the Indians to spirits of all kinds; applied, by 
extension, to anything mysterious or inexplicable. — Ed. 



454 ^ Voyage into North America. 

believe that the Souls of thofe Rackets which they wear under 
their Feet in Winter-time to keep 'em from finking into the 
Snow, ferve 'em for the fame ufe in the next Life, as well as 
the Souls of Bows and Arrows to kill Beafts with. And fo 
they fanfie of the Fifh likewife, and therefore the Souls will 
have occafion fay they for the Arms interr'd with the Dead ; 
the dead Bodies have no need of the Arms and Vidluals that 
are fet by 'em, no longer than till they get to the Country of 
Souls. 

They imagine that the Souls walk vifibly for fome time 
in the Villages, and partake of their Feafts and Revels, there- 
fore they always fet afide a Portion for them. Nay feveral of 
thefe Nations go fo far as to make certain general Feafts for 
the Dead, accompanied with Songs and horrible Cries, Feafts 
wherein all that is brought is to be eaten up ; Dances and 
Prefents of divers kinds. They take up the dead Bodies in 
the Village, and the very Bones of thofe that are confumed 
which they call Packets of Souls,^ they [58] remove 'em from 
one Sepulchre to another, adorn'd with drefs'd Skins, Collars 
of Porcelain, and other like Riches, fuch as their Country 
afi^ords : They believe all this contributes mainly to the Hap- 
pinefs of the Dead. 

I will not be tedious in fumming up particularly all their 
fuperftitious Opinions upon this Subjed, in relation to the 
different Places or Employs they affign to them, the manner 



^It was believed, by many tribes, that the soul dwelt in the bones, not only 
during the physical life, but for at least a time after death ; and that it might after- 
ward be reincarnated, if the bones remained unbroken. See Jes. Relations, xx, 
p. 310.— Ed, 



A Voyage into North America. 455 

of their living, their Wars, Peace, Policy and Laws : All 
extravagant, ridiculous Traditions founded upon Fables in- 
vented by their Anceftours, and deliver'd to their Pofterity 
for credible Truths, and as fuch receiv'd and firmly held by 
them. 

One would be apt to fufpedt that thefe Savages of America 
originally fprung from the Jews, fome of whom might cafually 
have been wreckt, and caft upon that Part of the World ; for 
they have feveral Cuftoms not unlike theirs ; they make their 
Cabbins in the form of Tents, like as the Jews did ; they 
anoint themfelves with Oil, and are fuperftitioufly addidled to 
Divination from Dreams. They bewail over the Dead with 
great lamentation. The Women go into mourning for their 
near Relations a whole Year, during which time they abftain 
from dancing and feafting, and wear a fort of a Hood upon 
their Heads, and commonly the Father or Brother of the 
Deceas'd take care of the Widow. 

Befides it feems as if God had laid a particular Male- 
didlion upon 'em, as he did upon the Jews : They are brutifh, 
and perfift unalterably in their Opinions; they have no certain 
fix'd Place of Abode ; they are very lafcivious, and have fuch 
grofs Conceptions, [59] that when we tell 'em Souls are 
immortal and immaterial, they ask what they eat in the other 
World. Moreover we may obferve fome Conformity be- 
tween Mofes's Relation of the Creation of the World, and the 
Belief of thefe Savages about it, as I obferved above. But 
to fpeak frankly, thefe Barbarians feem to have no kind of 
Idea of the Deity, and yet they believe another Life in which 



456 A Voyage into North America. 

they hope to enjoy the fame Delights, that they are pleafed 
with here. They live without any fubordination, without 
Laws or any form of Government or PoHcy. They are ftupid 
in matters of Rehgion, fubtle and crafty in their Worldly 
concerns ; but exceffively fuperftitious. 



A Voyage into North America. 457 



[60] CHAP. XII. 

What Method is moft proper to convert the Savages; what Manner 
of Perfons they are that ought not to be baptized. 

OUR ancient Miilionary Recolle6ls of Canada^ and thofe 
that fucceeded them in that work, have always given 
it for their opinion, as I now own 'tis mine, that the way 
to fucceed in converting the Barbarians, is to endeavour to 
make them men before we go about to make them Chriftians. 
Now in order to civilize them, 'tis neceffary that the Europeans 
fhould mix with them, and that they fhould dwell together, 
which can never be done for certain till the Colonies are 
augmented : but it muft be acknowledged, that the Company 
of Canada Merchants, have made great Obftacles to the en- 
creafing of the Colonies ; for out of greedinefs to keep all 
the Trade in their own hands, thefe Gentlemen would never 
permit any particular Society to fettle themfelves in the 
Country, nor fuffer the Miflionaries to perfwade the Bar- 
barians to dwell conftantly in a place. Yet before this be 
done, there's no way to convert thefe Unbelievers. Thus 
the covetoufnefs of thofe who are for getting a great deal in 
a ihort time, has mightily retarded the eftablifhment of the 
Gofpel among the Savages. 

Hence 'tis manifeft, that the office of a Miffionary is very 



45^ A Voyage into North America. 

troublefome and laborious, amongft thefe numerous Nations, 
and it muft be granted that 'tis neceffary to fpend many 
Years, and undergo a great deal of pains to civilize People 
fo extremely ftupid and barbarous. 

[6i] And therefore, one would not venture without much 
caution, to adminifter the Sacraments to adult Perfons, who 
pretend themfelves Converts ; for we fee that after fo many 
Years of Miffion, there has been but little progrefs made, 
though no pains have been wanting on the Miffionary's hands. 

So that Chriftianity is not like to gain much ground 
among the Savages, till the Colonies are ftrengthened by a 
great Number of Inhabitants, Artifans and Workmen, and 
then the Treaty betwixt the Barbarians and us fhould be 
freer, and extended to all Europeans: But chiefly it fhould 
be endeavour'd to fix the Barbarians to a certain dwelling 
Place, and introduce our Cuftoms and Laws amongft them, 
further'd by the AfTiftance of zealous People in Europe^ Col- 
leges might be founded to breed up the young Savages in 
the Chriftian Faith, which might in time contribute very 
much to the Converfion of their Country-men. This is a 
very proper Method without doubt, to ftrengthen the Tem- 
poral and Spiritual Interefts of the Colonies ; but the gener- 
ality of Mankind are bent upon Gain and Traffick, and are 
little concern'd to procure God's Bleffing upon them, and 
endeavour the advancement of his Glory. 

God is often pleas'd to prove his Children, and amongft 
'em thofe that employ themfelves in faving Souls, by thofe 
means that moft afflid them, but Dangers, Labours, Suffer- 



A Voyage into North America. 459 

ings, and even Death it felf would be welcome to them, 
provided in facrificing themfelves for the Salvation of their 
Brethren, God would afford them the Confolation to fee their 
Undertakings Crown'd with fuccefs to his Glory, and the 
Converfion of Infidels. 

[62] It is impoffible for us to look upon fo great a 
Number of People as this relation mentions, and confider the 
little progrefs Religion has made among the Savages of thefe 
vaft Countries, but we muft needs admire the infcrutable 
Decrees of God, and cry out with the Apoftle, the Depth 
of the Riches of the Wifdom and Knowledge of God! a great 
Number of learned fecular Priefts, and zealous Religious men 
of our Order, have carried the Light of the Gofpel into all 
Parts of the Earth, and labour'd hard in the Lord's Vineyard. 
But God would have us know, that the Converfion of Souls 
is the Work of his Grace, the bleffed Moments of which are 
not yet come. 

I cannot help faying with Grief, that there is a great deal 
of difference between the modern Miffions into America, 
and thofe which our Recolleds began in the New World, and 
continued in the Southern Parts oi America ; there they daily 
converted Millions of Souls ; but in Canada we find the 
Ground barren and unfruitfull, nothing but blindnefs and 
infenfibility, a prodigious Diftance from God, and even an 
entire oppofition to the Myftery of our Faith. Whole Ages 
are requir'd to prepare thefe Barbarians for the Gofpel, 
before we can exped: to fee it flourifh there : And to add to 
our afilidlion God has permitted that the Country fhould 



460 A Voyage into North America. 

be in the hands of a Company of Merchants, who think of 
nothing but their private Intereft, and are unconcern'd for 
the Propagation of the Faith. 

Our Ancient Miflionary's Recolledls did not grant the 
Sacrament of Baptifm to the Savages but with great Caution, 
for fear the Sacred Myftery fhould be profaned by the 
Barbarians ; and in our Days we fee thefe Nations not at all 
difpos'd to Chriftianity: They \_^'}i^ feem to have no Senfe 
at all of Religion in general to be incapable of the moft com- 
mon reafonings, that lead other Men to the knowledge of a 
Deity true or falfe. 

Thefe miferable dark Creatures liften to all we fay con- 
cerning our Myfteries, juft as if 'twere a Song ; they are 
naturally very vitious, and addided to fome Superftitions 
that fignifie nothing ; there Cuftoms are favage, brutal and 
barbarous; they will fuflfer themfelves to be baptized ten 
times a Day for a Glafs of Brandy, or a Pipe of Tobacco, 
and offer their Children to be baptiz'd, but all without any 
Religious Motive. Thofe that one takes the pains to in- 
flrud, for a Winter together, as I my felf taught fome of 
them while I dwelt at Fort Frontenac, give no better figns of 
Edification, than others in our Articles of Faith : So wrapt 
up are they in Infenfibility, to what concerns Religion, which 
occafion'd terrible Checks of Confcience in our Religious, in 
the beginning of their MifTion among the People of Canada; 
they faw that the few Perfons of years of Difcretion that 
they had inftrudled, and afterwards admitted to Baptifm, 
foon fell again into their ordinary indifference for Salvation, 



A Voyage into North America. 461 

and that the Children follow'd the unhappy Example of their 
Parents, infomuch that 'twas no better than a plain profana- 
tion of Baptifm to adminifter it to them. 

The Cafe was fearch'd into to the bottom, and argued upon 
with much application; nay, 'twas carried into the Sorbonne^', 
at length, after all poflible diligent Scrutiny into the matter 
it was concluded, that as for Perfons of years, and Children 
near the Point of Death, and who in all humane Probability 
would certainly foon give up the Ghoft ; they might venture 
to baptize them if they demanded it, becaufe it [64] might 
be juftly prefum'd, that in that extremity God infpir'd the 
adult Perfons with his Grace, as 'twas thought it had been 
obvious in fome of them ; but they declar'd, that as for the 
other Savages, they ought not to be baptiz'd, until after long 
obfervation and experience, they were perceiv'd to be well 
inclined and inftrudled, having a right apprehenfion of our 
Myfteries, and had quitted their barbarous Cuftoms, they 
declar'd further that they might adminifter Baptifm to thofe 
who dwelt conftantly among the Chriftians, were brought up 
in the fame way of living, were civiliz'd, and above all were 
well inflrudled, and that they fhould baptize their Children; 
and they compos'd a Form, and likewife a kind of funda- 
mental Canon, for a Rule to thefe Miffionaries, to which they 
were abfolutely to conform themfelves in the Functions of 
their Employ. 

^Cf. the condemnation by the Sorbonne of Fleche's too hasty baptisms in Acadia 
(1610); see Jes. Relations, i, 311. The Sorbonne was a celebrated school of 
theology, founded at Paris in 1253 by Robert Sorbon. It ceased to exist in 1790; 
and in 1808 its buildings were given to the University of France.— Ed. 



462 A Voyage into North America. 



[65] CHAP. XIII. 

The Barbarians of North-America don't acknowledg any God. 
Of the pretended Souls of terreflrial Animals. 

OUR antient MlfTionaries Recolleds were acquainted with 
feveral different Nations within the compafs of 600 
Leagues in North-America ; and I have been among many 
more, becaufe I went farther than any of them, having made 
a Voyage all along the River of St. Lawrence, and Mefchafipi. 
I obferved, as my Predeceffors, that the Savages don't want 
good Senfe in what concerns the general and particular 
Intereft of their Nation. They purfue their Point, and take 
right Methods to come to the end of their defigns : but 'tis 
what I am aftonifh'd at, that whilft they are fo clear fighted 
in their common Affairs, they fhould have fuch extravagant 
notions of the concerns of Religion, the Manners, Laws, and 
Maxims of Life. 

We muft all of us own, that almoft all the Savages in 
general have no Belief of a Deity, and that they are incapable 
of the common and ordinary Arguments and Reafonings 
that the reft of Mankind are led by upon this Subjed ; fo 
dark and ftupid are their Underftandings. At the fame time 
we may acknowledg, that now and then in fome of them we 
difcover fome glimmerings of a confus'd Notion of God. 



A Voyage into North America. 463 

Some will confefs, but very cloudily, that the Sun is God : 
Others fay, 'tis a Genius that rules in the Air : Some again 
look upon the Heavens as a kind of Divinity. But thefe 
only make a fhew of believing fomething \^66^ that we can 
hardly guefs at : we can't fix them to any fettled Principle. 
The Nations Southward feem to believe an Univerfal Spirit 
that governs all : they imagine after a falhion, that there's a 
Spirit in every thing, even in thofe that are inanimate ; and 
they addrefs themfelves to it fometimes, and beg fomething 
of it ; as we took notice of one Barbarian, who made a kind 
of Sacrifice upon an Oak, at the Cafcade of St. Antony of 
Padua, upon the River Mejchafipi} 

All thefe Nations don't profefs their Belief of a Deity 
out of any refped to Religion : They talk of it ordinarily, as 
a thing they were prepoffeffed with ; or frolickfomly, not 
regarding any thing they fay themfelves, any otherwife than 
as a kind of Fable. They have no outward Ceremony to 
fignify that they worfhip any Deity: There's no Sacrifice, 
Prieft, Temple, nor any other Token of Religion amongft 
them. 

Their Dreams are to them inftead of Prophecy, Infpiration, 
Laws, Commandments, and Rules, in all their Enterprizes, 
in War, Peace, Commerce, and Hunting : They regard them 
as Oracles. The Opinion they have of their Dreams draws 
them into a kind of necefTity to be ruled by them ; for they 
think 'tis an Univerfal Spirit, that infpires them by Dreams, 
and advifeth them what to do : And they carry this fo far, 

^ See p. 278, ante. — Ed. 



464 A Voyage into North America. 

that if their Dream orders them to kill a Perfon, or commit 
any other wicked A6lion, they prefently execute it, and make 
fatisfadlion for it afterwards, as we fhall fhew anon. The 
Parents dream for their Children, the Captains for their 
Village. There are fome among them, that take upon them 
to interpret Dreams, and explain them after their own fancy 
or inclination ; and if their Interpretations don't prove true, 
they are not lookt upon as Cheats ere the more for that. 

[67] Some have taken notice, that when they meet with 
any Cafcade or Fall of Waters, which is difficult to crofs, 
and apprehend any danger, they throw a Bever's Skin, To- 
bacco, Porcelain, or fome fuch matter into it by way of 
Sacrifice, to gain the Favour of the Spirit that prefides there. 

There's no Nation but what have their Jugglers, which 
fome count Sorcerers : but 'tis not likely that they are under 
any Covenant, or hold communication with the Devil. At 
the fame time, one may venture to fay, that the evil Spirit 
has a hand in the Tricks of thefe Jugglers, and makes ufe 
of them to amufe thefe poor People, and render them more 
incapable of receiving the Knowledg of the true God. They 
are very fond of thefe Jugglers, tho they cozen them per- 
petually. 

Thefe Impoftors would be counted Prophets, who foretel 
things to come : they would be look'd upon as having almoft 
an infinite Power: they boaft that they make Rain or fair 
Weather, Calms and Storms, Fruitfulnefs or Barrennefs of 
the Ground, Hunting lucky or unlucky. They ferve for 



A Voyage into North America. 465 

Phyficians too, and frequently apply fuch Remedies, as have 
no manner of virtue to cure the Diftemper. 

Nothing can be imagin'd more horrible than the Cries 
and Yellings, and the ftrange Contorfions of thefe Rafcals, 
when they fall to juggling or conjuring ; at the fame time 
they do it very cleverly. They never cure any one, nor pre- 
didt any thing that falls out, but purely by chance : mean 
time they have a thoufand Fetches to bubble {t. e., cheat] 
the poor people, when the accident does not anfwer their 
Predidlions and Remedies; for, as I faid, they are both 
Prophets and Quacks. They do nothing without Prefents 
or Reward. 'Tis true, if thefe Impoftors are not very dex- 
terous at recommending themfelves, and bringing themfelves 
off, when any perfon dies under their [68] hands, or Enter- 
prizes do not fucceed as they promis'd, they are fometimes 
murdered upon the place, without any more Formality. 

Thefe blind Wretches are wedded to many other Super- 
ftitions, which the Devil makes ufe of to delude them : They 
believe that feveral kinds of Animals have a reafonable Soul : 
They have an unaccountable Veneration for certain Bones of 
Elks, Bevers, and other Beafts ; they never throw thefe to 
their Dogs, which are the only Domeftick Animals they 
keep, becaufe they ferve for Hunting: So they preferve thefe 
precious Bones, and are very unwilling to caft them into the 
River. They pretend, that the Souls of thefe Animals come 
back into the World to fee how they treat their Bodies, and 
give notice accordingly to the reft of the Beafts both dead 

II-8 



466 ^A Voyage into North America. 

and living ; and that if they fhould find they are ill us'd, the 
Beafts of that kind would never let themfelves be taken, 
neither in this World nor the next. 

One may fay, that the Corruption of Sin has fpread a 
ftrange Darknefs in the Souls of thefe unhappy people, and 
a perfedl Infenfibility to all Religion ; infomuch that they are 
not to be match'd in any Hiftory. 'Tis true, they are 
obftinately fuperftitious in fome things ; and yet at the fame 
time, they are not mov'd by any principle of Religion. 'Tis 
nothing but ftrong Prejudice and Imagination. When we 
difpute with them, and put them to a nonplus, they hold 
their tongues ; their Minds are ftupid, their Faculties are 
befotted. If we propofe our Myfteries to them, they heed 
them as indifferently as their own nonfenfical Whimfies. I 
have met with fome of them, who feem to acknowledg that 
there is one firft Principle that made all things ; but this 
makes but a flight Impreffion upon their Mind, which returns 
again to its ordinary Deadnefs, and former Infenfibility. 



A Voyage into North America. 467 



[69] CHAP. XIV. 

Of the great difficulties in converting the Savages. Of the Prayers 
they get by rote ; and of Martyrdom. 

THE great Infenfibility of thefe Barbarians is caufed prin- 
cipally by their Carelefnefs and negled: to be thoroughly 
inftru6led. They come to us, and attend to what we fay, 
purely out of Idlenefs, and natural Curiofity to converfe with 
us, as we with them ; or rather they are tempted to follow 
us, by the Kindnefs and Flatteries we exprefs towards them, 
or becaufe of the Benefit their Sick receive from us, or out 
of hope to gain by trafficking with us ; or laftly, becaufe we 
are Europeans, and they think us ftouter than themfelves, 
and hope we will defend them from their Enemies. 

We teach them Prayers ; but they repeat them like Songs, 
without any diftindion by Faith. Thofe we have catechized 
a long time, are very wavering, except fome few : They 
renounce all, return into their Woods, and take up their old 
Superftitions upon the leaft Crotchet that comes into their 
Heads. 

I don't know whether their Predeceffors had any Knowl- 
edg of a God ; but 'tis certain their Language, which is very 
natural and expreflive in every thing elfe, is fo barren on this 



468 A Voyage into North America. 

Subjedt, that we can't find any expreflion in it to fignify the 
Deity, or any one of our Myfteries, not even the moft com- 
mon : this gives us great perplexity when we would convert 
them. 

Another great Obftacle to their Converfion is this : Moft 
of them have feveral Wives ; and in the Northern parts they 
change them as often as they pleafe : [70] They can't con- 
ceive how people can tie themfelves indiffolubly to one perfon 
in Marriage. See how filly you are, cry they, when we argue 
with them about it. My Wife is uneafy to me, I am fo to 
her; fhe'll agree very well with fuch a one, who is at odds 
with his Wife : now why fliould we four lead a miferable Life 
all our days? 

Another hindrance lies in a Cuftom of theirs, not to con- 
tradidl any Man ; they think every one ought to be left 
to his own Opinion, without being thwarted : they believe, 
or make as if they believed all you fay to them ; but 'tis 
their Infenfibility, and Indifference for every thing, efpecially 
Matters of Rehgion, which they never trouble themfelves 
about. 

America is no place to go to out of a defire to fuffer 
Martyrdom, taking the Word in a Theological Senfe: The 
Savages never put any Chriftian to death upon the fcore of 
his Religion; they leave every body at liberty in Belief: 
They like the outward Ceremonies of our Church, but no 
more. Thefe Barbarians never make War, but for the 
Intereft of their Nation ; they don't kill people, but in par- 



A Voyage into North America. 469 

ticular Quarrels, or when they are brutifh, or drunk, or in 
revenge, or infatuated with a Dream, or fome extravagant 
Vifion : they are incapable of taking away any Perfon's Life 
out of hatred to his Religion. 

They are brutifh in all their Inclinations ; they are natur- 
ally Gluttons, and know no other Happinefs in this Life, 
but the pleafure of eating and drinking : This is remarkable 
in their very Eyes, and their Diverfions, which are always 
begun and ended with feafting. 

The Paffion of Revenge which they are poffeffed with, is 
another great Obftacle to Chriftianity : They are very tender 
and affedlionate to their own Nation, but cruel and revengeful 
beyond imagination towards their Enemies : They are natur- 
ally Inconftant, [71] Revilers, Scoffers, and Lafcivious. In 
ihort, among all the Vices they are addidled to, we can per- 
ceive no Principle of Religion or Morality; and to be fure 
this muft needs render their Converfion extremely difficult. 

To perfwade them to any thing, and difpofe them to the 
Faith, 'tis requifite to make them famihar with us, and con- 
trad a good acquaintance with them ; but this is not to be 
done prefently, becaufe firft of all the Colonies ought to be 
multiplied, and planted every where. When they have pafs'd 
away a few Weeks with the Europeans, they are oblig'd to 
go to War, Hunting, or Fifhing, for their Subfiftence, and 
this depraves 'em extremely. They fliould be fix'd, inticed 
to clear the Ground, and cultivate it, and work at feveral 
Trades, as the Europeans do ; and then we fhould fee 'em 



470 A Voyage into North America. 

reform their barbarous Cuftoms, and become more civiliz'd, 
as well towards one another as us. 

In another place we fhall treat of the other Southern 
Nations, who feem better difpos'd to receive the Gofpel 
than thofe of the North. 



A Voyage into North America. 471 



CHAP. XV. 

The manner of Feafting among the Savages. 

THEY have Feafts at parting from one another, Feafts 
of Thanks, War, Peace, Death, Marriage, and Health. 
They continue revelling night and day, particularly when 
they hold thofe Feafts, which they term. Eat up all: For then 
they don't permit any one to quit the Company till all be 
eaten up. And if a Perfon is not able to ftuff any longer, 
he is oblig'd to hire another into his place. 

[72] They have other Feafts for the recovery of the Sick, 
and fome ordinary common Feafts. Formerly they kept 
wanton Feftivals, where the Men and Women mingled to- 
gether promifcuoufly, and plaid moft abominable lewd Pranks. 
But if they make fuch Entertainments now a-days, 'tis very 
rarely, and when they are at a great diftance from the Euro- 
peans. 

When they undertake a War, 'tis commonly to recover 
fatisfadion for fome Injury, that they pretend has been done 
to them : Sometimes they engage in it, upon account of a 
Dream, and often as a Fancy takes 'em : Sometimes they 
enter into it, becaufe other People jeer them : You're a 
Coward, fay they; You never were in a Battle; You have 
kill'd no Body yet. Then are they rouz'd by Honour, and 



472 A Voyage into North America. 

after they have klll'd fome Fallow Deer, make a Feaft, and 
exhort their Neighbours to accompany them in their Enter- 
prize. 

When they have a mind to go fingly, and alone, they 
make no Feafts, but only order their Wives to get them 
fome Meal of Indian Corn, becaufe they are going to War. 
But if they would have Companions, they go through all 
the Villages to invite the young Men, who take their Platters 
of Wood, or Bark of Birch- Then they rendezvouz at the 
Cabin of him who invited them, which they commonly enter, 
fmgmg Warlike Songs. I am going to War, I will revenge 
the Death of fuch a Kinfman, I will flay, I will burn, I will 
bring away Slaves, I will eat Men, and fuch like Expreflions 
that breathe nothing but Cruelty, 

When all the Crew are affembled, they fill the Kettles of 
thofe that have any, or elfe their Porringers of Wood or 
Bark : then they fit down to eat ; and during the Entertain- 
ment, he that invited them to the Feaft, (ings without inter- 
mifTion, and exhorts them to follow him. 

All this while they fpeak not one word, and eat up [73] 
all they have given them in profound Silence, except one or 
other of 'em between whiles applauds him that made the 
Feaft of War, by anfwering Netho^ or Joguemke. When the 
Orator has done, he fays to 'em all, 'Tis well; I'll march to 
morrow, or within two or three days, according as he hath 
proje6led. The next day thofe who are willing to accompany 
him to the War, go to him, and affure him that they will 
follow him any where to revenge him upon his Enemies. 



A Voyage into North America. 473 

'Tis very well, Nephews, fays he, we'll be going three days 
hence. And the Savages make twelve or fifteen Feafts of 
this kind before they fet out. 

Thefe Barbarians had us'd to make very lafclvious Feafts. 
The Leader of the Party ordered a young Woman to profti- 
tute her felf to fuch or fuch a one as he pointed at. If fhe 
refus'd to gratify them, they attributed all their Mifcarriages 
in their Enterprizes to her ; fo cunning is the Devil in cher- 
ifhing their impure Imaginations. 

When they marry their Children, they feldom make a 
Feaft. But if they do think fit to make any, they obferve 
certain Ceremonies in it : the firft thing they do, is to prepare 
Viduals. To this end they fill with Meat thofe Kettles 
which they have truck'd for with the Europeans, or great 
Earthen Pots which the Women make. They provide as 
many of them as they defign to have Guefts : when the Meat, 
or Sagamite is drefs'd, they go to invite their Guefts, and this 
they do by putting a little (tick into their hand, and faying, 
I invite thee to my Feaft. No fooner faid, but 'tis done, 
they need not be ask'd twice. They all come with their 
ufual Utenfils. The Mafter of the Cabin diftributes to each 
an equal Mefs, and he that provides the Feaft, or fome other 
in his place, fings without ceafing till they have eaten all up : 
after the Banquet they fing and dance, and at laft without 
any Formality of [74] returning Thanks to the Donor, they 
go back every one to their Cabin without fpeaking a word. 
None but thofe who have convers'd with the Europeans, 
return Thanks to thofe that invited them. 



474 A Voyage into North America. 

The Feafts made to recover the Sick are much after the 
fame manner : But they do more good to the Guefts than to 
the fick weak Perfons. The Feafts for the Dead are more 
doleful and fad. No Body fings or dances then. The Kin- 
dred of the Dead are in a deep mournful Silence. They 
look mightily troubl'd, to move their Guefts to Compaflion: 
all that go to thefe Feafts, carry Prefents with 'em ; and 
laying them at the feet of the near Kindred to the Deceas'd, 
fay, here's fomething to cover him, towards building a Cabin, 
or making a Palifade round his Sepulchre, according to the 
nature of their Prefents : then they feed plentifully, and 
return home without fpeaking a word. 

As for the ordinary Feafts, they order 'em feveral ways 
according to their Fancy : if they have any Knives bought of 
the Europeans, and have eaten and cut fat Meat with them, 
they ordinarily wipe their Knives with their Hair. They 
commonly eat fitting upon the ground, and have nothing to 
wipe upon. So they are forc'd to wipe their greafy Knives 
in their Hair, and then rub their Faces all over with it. 
Thefe frequent Un6lions without doubt harden them, and 
make 'um capable of undergoing much Toil. 



A Voyage into North America. 475 



CHAP. XVI. 

The manner of Adopting the Europeans among the Savages. 

I TOOK notice in my former Volume that a Barbarian 
Captain of the IJfati, or Nadouejfans, named Aquipaguetin^ 
adopted me in the place of his Son, who was [75] kill'd in 
Battle by the Miamisy and that this help'd me to gain Credit 
among thefe People, and infinuate my felf into 'em, the better 
to difpofe 'em to believe the Gofpel. This is what the Mif- 
fionaries fhould aim at, when they are among the Savages ; 
they fhould endeavour to infinuate themfelves into the Favour 
of him who is moft famous of all the Leaders among 'em, 
and moft inclin'd to the Europeans. Then this Captain brings 
them forth, for that's the term the Savages ufe to fignify 
their Adoption ; and this is done in a Feaft. The Captain, 
I fay, adopts a Miflionary for his Son, or for his Brother, 
according to his Age and Quality ; after which all the Nation 
look upon him as if he were adually born in their Country, 
and a-kin to their Captain : by means of this Ceremony he 
gets admiflion into the Family, in the quality of a Son, a 
Brother, Uncle, Nephew, or Coufin, with refped to thofe of 
the Family, and according to the rank they hold in it by their 
Birth. 

And to carry on their Defigns the better, the Miflionaries 



47^ A Voyage into North America. 

caufe a Council to be affembled, to fet themfelves off the 
more to the Barbarians. And here let it be obferv'd, that 
all Affemblies, held by order of their Captains, are call'd 
Councils. Thofe that come to thefe Affemblies, fit upon the 
Ground in a Cabin, or in open Field ; they keep filence whilft 
their Leader makes his Harangue, and rehgioufly obferve 
whatever they once firmly conclude upon. 

The Mifiionaries deliver themfelves, in thefe Affemblies, 
either by word of Mouth, if they underftand the Language 
of the People, or elfe by Interpreters. They tell 'em that 
they come among them to make an Alliance and Friendfhip 
with them, and at the fame time to invite them to trafiick 
with their Nation ; in conclufion, they defire the Savages to 
permit them to dwell in their Country, to inftrud: them in 
God's Law, which is the only way to Heaven. 

[76] The Savages often accept the Offers of the Mifiion- 
aries, and affure them they are well fatisfied with their 
Perfons : but to win the Barbarians, 'tis requifite that the 
Mifiionaries give them Hatchets, Knives, or other European 
Merchandizes, which the Savages, efpecially thofe who never 
yet had any Commerce with the Europeans, fet a high value 
upon. We never treat of any Affair with them without pre- 
fenting them with fomething of that nature, which they value 
more than we in Europe do Gold. After this the Barbarians 
bring forth, that is to fay, adopt thofe that have made Prefents 
to them. They publickly declare them Citizens, or Children 
of their Country; and according to their Age, as I faid be- 
fore, the Savages call the adopted Perfons, Sons, Brothers, 



A Voyage into North America. 477 

Coufins, according to the degrees of Relation : And they 
cherifh them whom they have once adopted, as much as if 
they were their own natural Brothers or Children. 

I forgot to take notice in my former Volume, that the 
great Captain of the Iffati^ named Ouaficoude, or pierced Pine- 
tree, call'd me his Brother. There are no examples among 
the other Nations of adopting any one for a Brother to a 
Captain fo abfolute as he. He had been feveral times at 
war with feventeen or eighteen Nations, Enemies to his, and 
brought away their Heads, or made them Prifoners. 

Thofe that are Valiant and Couragious are very much 
efteem'd by the Savages. They ordinarily ufe no other Arms 
than Bows, Arrows, and Maces [/. e.^ war-clubs] ; but they 
ufe them very dexteroufly. They are clear-limb'd, adlive, 
and robuft: I never faw any blind, crooked, or deform'd 
Perfon among them. 



47^ ^ Voyage into North America. 



l^i\ CHAP. XVII. 
Of the Marriages of the Savages in North America. 

MARRIAGE is not a Civil Contrad among thefe People; 
the Man and Woman don't intend to bind themfelves 
together for as long as they live, they live together no longer 
than they agree together, and love one another. As foon as 
they are difcontented with each other, they fay, as I have be- 
fore obferved, My Wife is uneafy to me, and I to her, Ihe'U 
agree well enough with fuch a one who is weary of his Wife ; 
there's no reafon why we four fhould live unquietly all our 
days: So without more ado, without any Clamor or Noife, 
they feparate, and remain perfedlly indifferent for each other. 

Thefe Barbarians fometimes marry their Daughters at 
nine or ten Years old, not that the young Couple come 
together fo foon, their Age is too green for that, but they 
expe6l to make fome Advantage of their Sons-in-law; for 
when they return from hunting, the Girl's Father has the 
difpofal of the Skins, and the Flefh they have taken : but at 
the fame time the Girl is obliged to bring the Sagamite, or 
Milk thicken'd with Indian Corn, and the Meat provided for 
her Husband's eating, tho fhe do not yet cohabit with him : 
fometimes 'tis five or fix Years before they confummate. 

When they marry, they make Feafts with great pomp 



A Voyage into North America. 479 

and rejoicing ; all the Village is invited by turns : every one 
makes good Chear. After the Banquet they fing and dance, 
as the Europeans upon that occafion, but after their own way. 

[78] They often marry clandeftinely, and there goes but 
one word to the Bargain. A Savage unmarried Man goes 
to a Maid, or unmarried Woman ; without more Courtfhip, 
he tells her, if fhe will go with him, fhe fhall be his Wife : 
She makes no Reply at firft, but paufes a little while, holding 
her Head betwixt both her Hands while fhe is confidering 
what to do ; the Man holds his Head in the fame pofture, 
and ftands filent. After fhe has thought a little of the matter, 
fhe fays Netho^ or Niaoua, which fignifies, I am content : The 
Man lifts up his Head prefently, and replies. One, that is to 
fay, 'tis a Match. At Night the Woman or Maid takes an 
Iron Hatchet, or if her Nation have no Commerce with the 
Europeans, fhe takes one made of Stone that will cut ; fhe 
goes and cuts as much good Wood as fhe can carry, brings 
it to the door of the Savage's Cabin, and lays it down ; fhe 
goes in and fits down by the Man, who does not offer to 
carefs her: when they have fat together long enough with- 
out fpeaking, the Husband tells her in the Iroquoife Tongue, 
Sentaouy, 'tis time to lie down, repofe your felf: fometime 
after he comes and lays himfelf down by her. 

'Tis very rarely feen that any of 'em make Love after the 
European manner, courting, dallying, and jefting fondly and 
merrily ; they re-enter into a reciprocal Kindnefs with as much 
cafe as they broke it off before : They part very quietly, for 
they make no more words on't than, / quit thee; that's all: 



480 A Voyage into North America. 

they are perfe6lly indifferent to each other after when they 
meet, and take no more notice than if they had never feen 
one another. 'Tis true, they fometimes fight before they 
part, but that happens very rarely. 

Among the Northern Savages, and particularly the Iroquois^ 
fome have two Wives, but not for any long time : when they 
part, fometimes the Woman carries away all the Clothes and 
Skins; but at other [79] times again fhe carries nothing 
away but the piece of Stuff that ferves her for a little Petti- 
coat, and her Blanket. Commonly the Children follow their 
Mothers, who continue to nurfe and bring them up, becaufe 
the Eftate of every Tribe or Family lies in common : there 
are fome that ftay with their Fathers ; but almoft all the Sav- 
ages that are divorced leave their Children to their Wives, 
faying, they don't believe they are theirs ; wherein they fre- 
quently tell truth, for there are very few Women among them 
that withftand the temptation of a woollen Blanket, or any 
other trivial Prefent. 

When their Children are begotten by an European, one 
may perceive it by their Face or Eyes ; the Children of the 
Savages are perfedlly black, and not pale or fwarthy like the 
Europeans ; they fee farther into the Woods likewife, and 
with more quicknefs than ours : Their Eyes are more piercing 
than the Europeans. 

If the Savage Women were capable of contra6ling Mar- 
riage, and keep ftedfaft in it, we might marry as many of 
them as we would to the Europeans ; but they have no incli- 
nation to Conftancy, they can't keep their Conjugal Vows 



A Voyage into North America. 481 

inviolated, and are very ready to leave their Husbands: this 
we know by Experience, and their common difcourfe upon 
this Subjed confirms us in it. When a Barbarian who has no 
Wife paffes through a Village, he hires a Woman for a Night 
or two, whilft he tarries from home, or is hunting Bevers, or 
for fome Weeks, according to his fancy; the Parents never 
hinder it : on the contrary, they make the firft advances, and 
are over-joy'd that their Daughters gain fome Clothes or 
Skins. 

There are all forts of Humours reigning among the Sav- 
ages, as among the Europeans : fome love their Wives very 
tenderly, others flight 'em ; fome beat and ufe them very 
hardly, but that does not laft [80] long, becaufe they turn 
them off; nay, there are fome of them that are jealous, as I faw 
one who beat his Wife becaufe fhe danc'd with other Men. 
Thofe that are good Hunters have the choice of the finefl: 
Women, the reft have none but the homelieft, and the Refufe. 
When they grow old, they rarely part with their Wives ; and 
if they do, 'tis for weighty Reafons. Some of them live 
twelve or fifteen Years with their Wives, who are ready to 
go diftradled if their Husband is a good Hunter, and leaves 
them : fometimes they are fo grieved at it, that they poifon 
themfelves ; I have known fome attempt it, and have faved 
their Lives by giving them Treacle. 

When thefe Barbarians go to hunt the Bever in the 

Spring-time, they frequently leave their Wives in the Village 

to fow Indian Corn and Gourds, and then they hire another 

to go along with them: When they are about to return, they 
11-9 



482 A Voyage into North America. 

give them a Bever or two, and fend 'em back to their Cabin; 
then they go home to their Wives as tho they had done 
nothing blameable : but if the laft pleafes them beft, they 
take her, and turn away the firft without more ado : and thefe 
Savages wonder the Europeans don't take the fame courfe. 

One day whilft I liv'd at Fort Frontenac amongft the 
Iroquois^ the Husband of one of our Women of Canada was 
gone twenty or thirty Leagues from thence ; the Women 
Savages came to her, and told her fhe had no fenfe, take 
another Man till your Husband returns. This great Incon- 
ftancy, and continual change of Women, are two things very 
oppofite to the Maxims of the Gofpel, which we endeavour 
to inftil into the Savages : 'Tis one of the moft confiderable 
Obftacles to the Faith ; but among the Southern Nations, 
and thofe of Mefchafipi, Polygamy is in fafhion. In all the 
Countries of the Louifiana there are Savages to be met with 
that have often ten or [81] twelve Wives; they frequently 
marry three Sifters, and give this reafon for fo doing, that 
they agree better together than with Strangers. 

When a Man has given Prefents to the Father and 
Mother of the Maid that he would efpoufe, fhe becomes his 
own for Life if he pleafe. Sometimes the Parents take their 
Son-in-law's Children, and then they give 'em back the Pref- 
ents they made 'em, but this happens very feldom. If any 
Woman defile her Marriage-bed, the Husband cuts ofT her 
Nofe, or an Ear, or gives her a flafh in the Face with a ftone 
Knife ; if he kill her, he is clear'd for a Prefent which he 
gives to her Parents to wipe away their Tears, 'tis the very 



A Voyage into North America. 483 

Expreflion they ufe : I have feen feveral markt in the Face. 

The Men of the hot Country are more jealous of their 
Wives than thofe of the North ; the firft are fo jealous in 
this matter, that they wound themfelves, and fometimes kill 
themfelves in a blind pafTion of Love, which prompts them 
to this Fury. 

One thing is very remarkable, and that is, young Warlike 
Savages feldom have to do with Women till thirty Years of 
Age, becaufe, fay they, their Commerce with Women ex- 
haufts their Strength, weakens their Knees, and renders them 
heavy in the Courfe ; thofe that marry before that Age, are 
look'd upon as Men unlit for War or Hunting, and are 
defpifed as EflFeminate Perfons. 

The Southern Men commonly go naked, but their 
Women are partly covered with a Skin finely dreft, efpecially 
in their Dances and Ceremonies: The Maids oil their Hair, 
curl it, and tie it in Locks : The Women wear their Hair 
like the Bohemians, they greaze it too, and paint their Faces 
with all forts of Colours, and fo do the Men. 



4^4 A Voyage into North America. 



[82] CHAP. XVIII. 

Of the Remedies which the Savages adminifter to the Sick; they 
have Mountebanks among them. Their opinion of Infant- 
Baptifm when the Author liv'd there. 

WHEN the Savages are tired and weary, they go into a 
Stove ^ to recruit the ftrength of their Limbs; and if 
they have a pain in their Thighs or Legs, they take a Knife 
or a Stone that will cut, which they can get, and make a 
fort of Scarification upon the Part that is grieved ; while the 
Blood runs, they fcrape it off with their Knives or Stones 
till it has done running, and then they rub the Wounds with 
Bear's Oil, or Deer's Greafe ; this is a foveraign Remedy, 
and they ufe the fame when they have a Pain in the Head 
or Arms. 

To cure Tertian or Quartan Agues, they compofe a 
Medicine with a certain Bark which they boil, and give it to 
the fick Perfon to fwallow after his Fit. They have fome 
knowledg in Herbs and Roots, with which they cure feveral 
Diftempers : They have infallible Remedies againft the Poifon 



^ That is, a sweat-box ; within a little tent or hut were placed stones heated red-hot, 
on which water was poured, the hut being thereby filled with steam. This process 
was regarded as a valuable therapeutic agency, and was also employed in supersti- 
tious rites. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 485 

of Toads, Rattlefnakes, and other dangerous Animals; but 
none againft the Small-Pox, as we have. 

There are Mountebanks or Quacks among them, whom 
we have already (poke of under the name of Jugglers : Thefe 
are fome old Savages who live at other Peoples Coft, by 
counterfeiting themfelves Phyficians, after a very fuperftitious 
manner. They make no ufe of Medicines but when they 
are call'd to a fick Perfon ; they make themfelves be fued to, 
as tho they were to do fome thing very extraordinary [83] 
and difficult : at laft, after much intreaty, the Juggler comes, 
he approaches the fick Perfon, feels his Body all over; and 
after he has well handled and confider'd it, he tells 'em, 
there's a Charm or Spell in fuch a part, in the Head, Leg, 
or Stomach, or where he thinks fit; he adds, that he muft 
remove this fame Charm, and that it can't be done but with 
a great deal of difficulty, and 'tis neceffary to do a great 
many things before he can fucceed in it. 

This Charm is very malign, fays he, but it muft be fetch'd 
out coft what it will: The fick Perfon's Friends, who blindly 
believe all the Quack tells 'em, make anfwer, Tchagon, Tchagon^ 
Courage, Courage, Do what you can, fpare nothing that you 
know will do him good : Then the Juggler fets himfelf down 
very gravely, and confiders fome time what Remedies to make 
ufe of; by and by he rifes up, as out of a profound Sleep, 
and cries. It fhall be done. You fuch a one, the Life of your 
Wife, or your Child is very dear to you, then fpare nothing 
that may fave it; you muft make a Feaft to day, you muft 
give one thing or other, you muft do this or that : at the 



486 A Voyage into North America. 

fame time they never fail to execute the Juggler's Orders. 
The other Savages go all together into a Stove, and fing 
as loud as they can haul, and make a ratling with Tortoife 
Shells, or Pumkins made hollow, and Indian Corn put into 
'em ; and to this Noife the Men and Women dance : nay, 
fometimes they get drunk with Brandy bought of the 
Europeans, and then they make a horrible din and clutter. 

While they are all taken up in this manner, the old Juggler 
keeps clofe to the fick Perfon, whom he torments by hold- 
ing his or her Feet and Legs, and gripes them hard in the 
part where the pretended Charm lies ; he makes 'em fuffer 
incredible Pain, enough to kill 'em, and often makes the 
Blood ftart out at the end of their Fingers or Toes ; at 
length [84] after he has done all this, he (hews a piece of 
Skin, a lock of Woman's Hair, or fome fuch thing, and tells 
'em 'tis the Charm which he has drawn out of the fick 
Perfon's Body, when at the bottom 'tis all a piece of 
Roguery. 

Once I baptiz'd a little Child which feem'd to me to be 
at the point of Death, and next day it recovered contrary 
to my expectation ; a while after the Mother told feveral 
Women in my prefence, that I had cur'd her Child : She 
took me for a Juggler, faying, I was an admirable Fellow, 
that I knew how to cure all forts of Difeafes with fprinkling 
Water upon the Head and Face. 

The Jugglers fpited at the Woman's Charader of me, 
began to tell 'em that I was of an aufteer melancholy Hu- 
mour, that I fed upon Serpents and Poifon, that fuch Folks 



A Voyage into North America. 487 

as I eat Thunderbolts. The Savages were aftonifh'd at the 
ftrange Stories thefe Rafcals made upon me on the occafion 
of baptizing the Child ; nay, thefe impoftors added, that we 
had all Tails like Beafts, that the European Women have but 
one Pap in the middle of the Breaft, and bear five or fix 
Children at a time, and a great deal more of fuch ftuff to 
make us odious ; and this they did becaufe they thought 
that what I did would leffen their Credit, and thereby they 
fhould be depriv'd of many a good Treat. 

Thefe poor honeft People, who are eafily put upon, began 
to fufpedl me : when one of them fell fick, they came and 
ask'd me whether I had poifon'd him or no? and threaten'd 
to kill me if I did not cure him. I had much ado to unde- 
ceive them, and I was forc'd more than once to appeafe 
them, by giving them Knives, Needles, Awls, and other fuch 
like Trifles of little value with us, but much priz'd by the 
Savages. After which I gave a Dofe of Treacle to the fick 
Man, and fo I quieted them. The Savages often [85] have 
recourfe to our Medicines, becaufe they find them good ; if 
they don't operate fuccefsfully, they lay the fault upon the 
Remedy, and never upon the ill Difpofition of the fick Perfon. 



488 A Voyage into North America. 



CHAP. XIX. 

Of the Conftttution or Temper of the Savages. 

GENERALLY fpeaking, the Savages are very robuft ; the 
Men, Women and Children are of an extraordinary 
vigorous Conftitution, therefore they are very rarely troubled 
with Diftempers. They don't know what it is to cocker and 
make much of themfelves ; thence it comes that they are not 
fubjed to any of thofe Indifpofitions that our Luxury brings 
upon us. They are not afflided with Gout, Dropfy, or 
Gravel, nor are they feverifh ; they are hardly ever incom- 
moded with thofe Difeafes which the Europeans fall into 
for want of Exercife ; they are feldom troubled with lofs of 
Appetite ; they are ufually addidled to gormandizing, info- 
much that they rife in the Night to eat ; if by good luck 
they have Meat or Sagamite by them, they fall to it like Dogs 
without getting up. 

And yet they can undergo fuch long Abftinences as would 
doubtlefs be intolerable to the Europeans ; fometimes they 
faft two or three days together, when there's a necefTity for 
it, and this without difcontinuing their bufinefs, whether it 
be War, Hunting, or Fifhing. The Children of the Savages 
that dwell towards the North, are fo harden'd againft Cold, 
that in the depth of "Winter they run ftark naked through the 



A Voyage into North America. 489 

Snow, and tumble about In it, as Hogs wallow in the Dirt in 
Summer-time. When the Air [86] is fill'd with Maringouins, 
[i. e., mosquitoes] they don't feel their ftinging. 

'Tis true, the fharp Air they expofe themfelves to as foon 
as they can run about, contributes in fome fort to harden 
their Skin for any Fatigue ; but yet it muft be confeft that 
this great Infenfibility is owing to a ftrong robuft Temper of 
Body : for the our Hands and Face are always expos'd to 
the Weather, yet they are never the lefs fenfible of Cold. 
When the Men are a hunting, efpecially in the Spring-time, 
they are almoft continually in the Water, notwithftanding it 
be very cold ; and yet they come out of it frefh and gay, and 
return to their Cabins without complaining. 

When they go to War, they fometimes poft themfelves 
behind a Tree three or four days together, eating a very in- 
confiderable quantity of Vidluals all that while ; and thus they 
lie hid in ambufh, waiting to make a favourable Blow. They 
are indefatigable Hunters, they run very fwift, and hold it a 
long time. 

The Nations of Louijiana, and of the River Mefchafipi^ run 
much fafter than the Iroquois; there are no wild Bulls or 
Cows which they can't overtake. The Savages of the South, 
tho inhabiting a warmer Country, and more pleafant than 
the North, are no lefs robuft, nor lefs accuftomed to Fatigue 
than the Savages of the North, who fleep upon the Snow 
wrapt in a little Blanket, without Fire or Cabin. 

The Conftitution of the Women is no lefs vigorous than 
that of the Men Savages, nay they are rather more robuft ; 



490 A Voyage into North America. 

the Women ferve for Porters, and are fo ftrong, that few 
Men in Europe can match them ; they'l carry Packs that two 
or three can hardly lift up : I obferv'd in my firft Volume, 
that they ufually carry two or three hundred Weight, and 
fet their Children a top of their Burden, who are not [87] 
reckon'd into the Weight : 'tis true they walk flowly, but 
they never fail to meet at the rendezvous of the Nation. 
The warlike Savages undertake Voyages of three or four 
hundred Leagues, as if 'twere no more than a kind of Walk, 
as from Amfierdam to Breda : They don't carry their Provifion 
along with them ; they live by Hunting, which they follow 
daily; they take nothing but a Knife with them to make 
Bows and Arrows with ; and in that Equipage they will go a 
thoufand Leagues, if they are minded. 

The Women Savages are brought to bed without any 
great Pain ; fome of them go out of their Cabins, and retire 
afide by themfelves into the next Wood ; they come back 
agen prefently with the new born Infant wrapt up in their 
Blanket or dreffed Skin : Others, if they fall in labour in the 
Night time, deliver themfelves of their Children upon their 
Mats, without crying out, or making a noife ; the next 
morning they rife, and go about their ordinary Bufmefs 
within doors or without, as tho nothing had happened. 
'Tis further remarkable, that whilft they are big with Child, 
they ftir about, carry heavy Burdens, fow Indian Corn, and 
Gourds ; and what is more ftrange than all this, their Chil- 
dren are very well fhap'd, there are few of them crooked or 



A Voyage into North America. 491 

deformed, they have no natural Faults in their Bodies ; which 
makes me think, that their Mind might eafily be fafhioned 
as comely as their outward Form, if it were cultivated, and 
if we converfed more with them to polifh their wild barbarous 
Humour. 



492 A Voyage into North America. 



[88] CHAP. XX. 

A Defcription of the Savages that go clothed^ and thofe that do not. 

THE Savages of North America on the North fide, accord- 
ing to the report of their antient Men, have always 
gone cover'd, even before they had any Commerce with the 
Europeans : The Men and Women cloth'd themfelves with 
drefs'd Skins ; they are now cloth'd after the fame manner, 
but thofe that have any Commerce with the Europeans have 
commonly a Shirt, a great Coat, fuch as the Mariners watch 
in at Sea, with a Cowl to it, and a Piece of Cloth made faft 
before and behind, with a Girdle which comes down to their 
Knees ; befides they have Stockings without Feet, and Shoes 
made of drefs'd Skins. 

When they return from Hunting in Spring time, they 
truck their Skins for Coats, Shoes, and Stockings : fome 
wear Hats out of complaifance to the Europeans : Some of 
them have Blankets in which they wrap themfelves, holding 
two Corners of it in their Hands, when they are in their 
Cabins, they often go quite naked, having nothing but a 
Piece of Cloth, which they gird about them in Winter ; 'tis 
faften'd about their Loins, and hangs down between their 
Thighs as low as their Knees. When thefe Barbarians go to 
War, or to a Feaft, they dawb their Faces all over with red 



A Voyage into North America. 493 

or black, that their Enemies may not perceive they turn pale 
with Fear; they likewife colour their Hair red, and cut it in 
feveral fafhions, efpecially the Northern Savages : Thofe of 
the South cut all their Hair off, or rather they finge it off 
with Stones made red hot in the Fire, till it be fo fhort, that 
it does not cover their Ears: [89] Often-times the People of 
the North let their Hair hang down in Curls on one fide, 
and cut the other fide clofe, according to their Fancy. There 
are fome that rub their Hair with Oil, and afterwards clap 
fome Down, or little Feathers upon their Heads : fometimes 
they faften near their Ears great Plumes of Feathers ; fome 
make themfelves Wreaths of Flowers, others make 'em of 
Birchen Bark, and fome of drefs'd Skins, that are work'd 
very prettily; then they look like fome of Cefar\ Soldiers, 
who were painted of divers colours : They make themfelves 
taken notice of for their Fantafticalnefs. 

The Northern Women are clothed like the Men, except 
that they wear a piece of Stuff made like a Petticoat, which 
reaches down almoft to their Knees : When they go to Feafts, 
they drefs themfelves in all their beft Attire, bedawb their 
Temples, their Cheeks, and the Tip of their Chin with three 
forts of Colours. The Boys go ftark naked, till they are 
capable of Marriage ; and even when they are clothed, thofe 
Parts, which Nature forbids Men to difcover, are always left 
uncover'd, at leaft if they have no Shirts. The Girls begin to 
put on Clothes at five or fix years old ; and then they wear 
a piece of Stuff, that goes round 'em, reaching from their 
Loins down to their Knees. When we went into their Cabins 



494 A Voyage into North America. 

to inftru6l them, we obliged them to cover themfelves : this 
produced a good effed ; now they begin to be afham'd of 
their Nakednefs, and cover themfelves a little better than 
they did formerly. 

'Tis otherwife with the Women and Girls of the Louifiana 
and Mefchaftpi^ which lie Southweft of Canada above a thou- 
fand Leagues from Quebec; there we fee the Girls in puris 
naturalibus, juft as they came out of their Mothers Belly, till 
they arrive at a fit Age to marry ; mean time they are not at 
all afham'd, becaufe us'd to it. 

[90] The Men and Women, and efpecially the Girls, wear 
about their Necks Sea-fhells of all Figures ; they have like- 
wife fome Shells of about a Finger's length, made like little 
Pipes, which they wear at their Ears for Pendants ; they have 
Girdles likewife, fome made of Porcelain, others of Porcu- 
pines Hair, fome of Bears Hair, and others of both mixt 
together. 

The more confiderable Savages carry at their Backs with 
much Gravity, a little Bag, wherein is their Calumet or Pipe, 
their Tobacco, their Steel to ftrike fire, and other Trifles. 
They have Skill enough to make a little Cloke or fort of 
Robe with drefs'd Skins of Bears, Bevers, Otters, black 
Squirrels, Wolves, Lions, and other Animals : they put 'em 
on when they go to their Affemblies, where they lit as gravely 
when they are at Council, as the Senators of Venice. But the 
Savages of our lafl difcovery betwixt the frozen Sea and new 
Mexico, appear always naked upon all occafions ; from whence 
I took occalion to tell Father Gabriel one day, whilft we were 



A Voyage into North America. 495 

among the Illinois, that probably thefe Savages did not fin in 
Adam; becaufe he cover'd himfelf with Leaves, and then had 
a Habit of Skins given him after he had finned : Thefe 
Savages have really no manner of Shame to fee themfelves 
naked ; nay they feem to glory in it. When they talk with 
one another, they often make ufe of thofe Terms, Tchetanga, 
which are obfcene, and would make me write 'em down, when 
I was about compofing a Didlionary, and they nam'd the Parts 
of the Body to me. Whatever I might fay to Father Gabriel 
de la Ribourd, I am neverthelefs perfwaded by the Scripture, 
that all Mankind are defcended from Adam; and therefore 
the Savages as well as others, are Sinners, and corrupted by 
their Birth, and that they will perifh in their Sins if they 
don't receive the Gofpel ; for there is no other name by 
which Men can be faved, but the Name of Chrifl. [91] I 
know very well that Habits don't fave any body ; but in 
fhort, if thefe poor People would obferve the Precepts of the 
Law of Nature, God would work a Miracle in their favour, 
rather than fuffer 'em to perifh in their Ignorance ; and 
therefore he would lead 'em into the knowledg of the Truth, 
by means worthy of his Wifdom. But thefe unhappy Bar- 
barians violate the Precepts of the Law of Nature, and live 
in Stupidity, and in the diforders of a dreadful Corruption, 
which makes them fit Subjects of God's Wrath. Mean time, 
Chrifliians, who are guided by the faving Rays of Truth, 
ought to labour with all their power to bring thefe People 
out of Darknefs, into the Light of the Gofpel, and the 
Hopes of Salvation ; fo may they help to extend the King- 



49^ A Voyage into North America. 

dom of Jefus Chrift, and draw thefe poor People out of 
Condemnation. To this end they fhould eftablifh ftrong 
Colonies, who by trafficking and converfing with the Barba- 
rians, will difpofe them to imitate them ; engaging them, by 
works of Charity, their Inftrudions, and good Examples, 
and even by the temporal Advantages to be drawn from the 
Converfation of the Europeans, to embrace Chriftianity, and 
grow more tradlable and gentle than they are yet. 



A Voyage into North America. 497 



CHAP. XXI. 

Of the Games and Sports of the Savages. 

THE Savages of North America^ have Games for Men, and 
fome for Children. The Men commonly play with the 
Stones of certain Fruits that are red on one fide, and black 
on t'other; they put 'em into a pretty large Wooden-platter, 
not very deep, or into a Bafon of Birchen-Bark, upon a 
Woollen-Blanket, on a dreffed [92] Skin, upon a Robe of 
Bever, or upon a large Coat ; they play fix or feven together, 
but there are but two of them that take hold of the Platter 
with their two Hands, one after another; they lift it up, and 
ftrike the bottom of the Platter againft the Ground, to huftle 
thefe fix Nuts together : If there come up five red or five 
black all of a fide, that's one Game won ; for they make 
three or four Games up, more or lefs, according as they 
agree upon it. All the Gamefters play one after another. 
Some of the Savages are fo addided to this Game, that they 
play away all they have to their great Coat, and their furr'd 
Gown. When they are at play, they bawl as loud as they 
can fhout, as earneftly as if the decifion of an Empire were 
in agitation : and all this Noife is made as if the Chance 
were to be forc'd to fall on their fide. When they fhake the 

II-IO 



49^ A Voyage into North America. 

Platter, they lay themfelves over the Shoulders at fuch a rate, 
that they make themfelves black and blue with the Blows. 
Thefe Barbarians play often with Straws or Broom-fprigs, 
half a foot long, or thereabouts ; one of them takes them all 
in his hand, and then without looking upon 'em, divides 'em 
into two parts, and gives one to his Adverfary : he that has 
the even, or the odd Number, according to their Agreement, 
wins the Game.^ The Children Savages likewife often play 
at this Game, but they don't follow it fo eagerly as the Men, 
becaufe they have nothing to ftake. The Women or Girls 
dare not meddle with this Game, I don't know for what 
reafon. 

The Savages have another Game which is common among 
the European Children. They take fome Grains of Indian 
Corn, or fome fuch thing ; then they put fome into their 
Hand, and ask how many is there : he that gueffes right, has 
the Game. 

They have another Game that they are mightily pleas'd 
with, and which in the Iroquoife Tongue they call Ounon 
hayenti ; but 'tis rather a fort of Traffick [93] and Barter 
than a Game : they go into two Cabins, fix into one and fix 
into t'other, then comes one with fome Skins, Clothes, or 
what elfe they have a mind to truck ; he goes to the Door 
of one Cabin, makes a certain Cry; and they within anfwer 
him : then he tells 'em, finging aloud, that he will fell or 



^ For full accounts of these and other games played by Indians, see Jes. Relations, 
index, art. Indians: social and economic life — games and recreations. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 499 

truck what he holds in his hands, repeating, Otmon hayenti: 
Thofe within the Cabin make anfwer with a hollow Voice, 
Hon, Hon, Hon, Hon, Hon, five times. The Crier or Seller 
having ended his Song, throws the Goods into the Cabin, 
and returns home. 

Then the fix in t'other Cabin, after they have conferr'd 
about the Price of the things that this Perfon threw into the 
Cabin, depute one of their Number to ask the Seller if he is 
willing to take in exchange, a great Coat, a Shirt, a pair of 
Shoes, or fuch like Commodity ; and then a id Perfon carries 
the Equivalent to the other Cabin, or elfe they deliver back 
their Goods again that they threw in, if they can't agree 
about it, or if it is not worth as much as what they offer in 
exchange. 

Thefe Ceremonies are accompany'd with Songs on all 
fides : fometimes whole Villages of Savages vifit one another 
alternately, more for the diverfion of this Game of Ounon 
hayenti, than to fee one another. This word fignifies a Bar- 
gain, where one gives to receive again. The Iroquoife Tongue 
has compound words in it ; one of their Terms imports 
fometimes five or fix French words, as the word Gannoron is 
as much as to fay. This is an Affair of great Confequence. 

Their Children have another Game. They take a Bow 
and two Sticks, one big, one little : they hold the little one 
in their right hand, and ftrike it up as high as they can with 
the other ; another looks where it falls, and throws it up 
again to him that ftruck it. This Play has likewife fomething 



500 A Voyage into North America. 

in it [94] like fome among the European Children. They 
likewife make a Ball of Rufhes or Leaves of Indian Corn ; 
they tofs it up, and catch it upon the point of a ftick. The 
great People, Men and Women, pafs away the Winter-Nights 
a telling Stories over the Fire, like the Europeans. 



A Voyage into North America. 501 



CHAP. XXII. 

The manner of making TVar among the Savages ; they are very 
much given to Revenge. 

THE Savages of America have almoft all of them a ftrong 
Propenfion to War, becaufe they are very Revengeful: 
when once they have taken a difguft to any one that is not 
of their own Nation, they muft be reveng'd fooner or later, 
tho they wait an Opportunity to the third or fourth Genera- 
tion. They are reftlefs day and night till they have taken 
Satisfadlion for an Affront, by deftroying, if they can, moft 
of that Nation they are enrag'd at : And then they make the 
reft dwell amongft them, and take up their way of living in 
every thing. The Iroquois^ whom the Sweeds, then the Dutch, 
the Englifh, and French, have furnifhed with Fire-Arms, are 
reckon'd at prefent the moft Warlike of all the Savages yet 
known : They have flain the beft Warriours among the Htirons, 
and forc'd the reft of that Nation to join with them, to make 
War together againft all their Enemies fituated 5 or 600 
Leagues diftant from their five Cantons. They have deftroy'd 
above two Millions of Men, and are now adlually at War 
with the Inhabitants of Canada. 

If France do not fend Succours of Ammunition and Pro- 
vifion to the Canadans, the Iroquois may be able [95] to ruin 



502 A Voyage into North America. 

them by the means I have mention'd in my former Volume. 

Thefe Barbarians can fpoil their Neighbours, as we have 
feen by experience : we can gain nothing from them, becaufe 
all we can plunder them of is worth little or nothing ; this 
fierce Nation I fay may eafily ruin the Commerce of their 
Neighbours, who chiefly fubfifl: by trafficking for Skins with 
the Savages. The European Colonies are not yet fufficiently 
efliablifhed, and cannot fubfifl: without Commerce, unlefs every 
thing neceffary for Life be brought them by Ship ; befides 
the Iroquois are mifchievous and crafty, yet like wild Horfes 
who don't know their own fl:rength. They are certainly able 
to ruin their Neighbours, for fome Reafons which 'tis not 
prudent to make publick. They had utterly ruin'd Canada 
long ago, if the Count de Frontenac had not won them by 
gentle Methods. They are the moft formidable Enemies 
that the Europeans have in all America. I do but hint it 
here, but am affur'd of it, from what I know of thofe People ; 
I dwelt four whole years among them ; I have been fent in 
Ambaffy to them, and they have carried themfelves very 
friendly towards me. 

This People have over-run many difl^erent Nations, and 
thofe who remain'd, after the defeat of the reft, have been 
always forc'd to fubmit to them. The Iroquois have con- 
fiderable Men among them who are their Leaders, and 
Governours in their Voyages. They have thofe under their 
command that will follow them any where, and do all they 
are order'd : before they fet out, they provide themfelves 



A Voyage into North America. 503 

with good Firelocks, which they get in exchange from the 
Europeans for Skins, and Furs ; they take Powder, Ball, 
Kettles, Hatchets, and other neceffary Implements in War 
along with 'em. Sometimes they have young Women and 
Lads, that go along with [96] them, and in this Equipage 
they march three or four hundred Leagues. 

When they come near the place where they defign to 
make War, they march flowly, and with much Precaution ; 
then they never kill Deer with their Fire-arms, for fear of 
being difcover'd. They only ufe their Arrows upon that 
occafion, which make no noife in flying. When they would 
fnoot, they look carefully round them, for fear of a Surprize. 
They fend out Spies, to difcover the entrance into the Vil- 
lages, and fee where beft to begin their Attack : and if they 
fee any one come out of the Village, they furprize and take 
him if they can, which often fucceeds, for they do all their 
bufinefs treacheroufly. 

There are no Warriours like them in all America for 
Ambufcades : They lay wait for Men hid behind a Tree, as 
tho their Defign was upon fome Beaft. They count him a 
good Warriour that is cunning at furprizing his Enemies. 
If they can efcape handfomly, after they have given their 
blow, from their Enemies, they are reckon'd incomparable 
Fellows. 'Tis not to be conceived how quick they skip 
round a Tree with their Firelock in their hands, to defend 
themfelves from the Arrows that are fhot againft them. 
They are very nimble at leaping over the Trees that are 



504 A Voyage into North America. 

fallen down in the Woods as they run along : There are 
abundance of thefe Trees of a prodigious bignefs, which fall 
with Age for want of Roots. 

Their Patience is admirable. When they find they are 
cleverly hid, they'll tarry behind the Trees two or three days 
without eating, waiting a favourable opportunity to kill an 
Enemy : Sometimes they will fhew themfelves fairly, but 
that's very rare ; and if they were not almoft certain of their 
Blow, they would hardly expofe themfelves, at leaft if they 
were not back'd by a great number of their own Men. 
Thefe Barbarians don't fight after the European [97] manner, 
becaufe they are not difciplin'd to it, and can't keep their 
Ranks fo well in open Field : So that they can't ftand a Skir- 
mifh fo well as our well-commanded Souldiers : Neverthelefs 
when they are once heated and animated, they are incom- 
parable. 

They are fo malicious, that they fet fire to the Corn of 
their Europeans when they are dead : They burn their Houfes, 
which they fet fire to with lighted Cotton, faftned to the 
Point of their Arrows ; for then the Fire takes hold of the 
Boards, or of the Straw that their Houfes are thatch'd with ; 
for the Savages let fly their Arrows with extraordinary Force, 
fo the Houfes are foon in flames. 

There was an Iroquois Captain nam'd Attriouati Onnontage^ 
whom I know very well, that treated me very civilly in my 
Voyage from Fort Frontenac to New Tork ; we call'd him La 
grande Gueule, becaufe his Mouth was very broad. This 
Man having mifs'd his aim once, ran into Montreal in Canada, 




Jne CTf^icclty cnf J^he Ja2raa^ Jr-c^zict^ 



A Voyage into North America. ^ot^ 

crying, Hai^ Hai, which is a token of Peace: He was very 
kindly receiv'd, and made much of ; nay, they gave him con- 
fiderable Prefents, becaufe they had a mind to have a good 
Underftanding with that infolent Nation. When he withdrew 
from that place, the perfidious Villain kill'd two Men that 
were thatching a Houfe. 

Some of them told us, that they had been at War as far 
as the Spanifh Territories in New Mexico ; for they faid they 
had been in a Country where the Inhabitants gather'd red 
Earth, and carry'd it to fell to a Nation who gave them 
Hatchets and Kettles for it ; and this they faid was call'd the 
Country of Gold : but 'tis likely this Story was devifed by the 
Savages to pleafe Mr. de la Salle when he was at Fort Fron- 
tenac, for he greedily heard any one talk of the Golden Mines 
of St. Barbe. I have been among all the Nations of the 
River Mejchafipi^ none of whom except the Illinois ever men- 
tion'd the Iroquois otherwife than [98] as certain People, 
Neighbours of the Illinois, from whom they learnt that the 
Iroquois are a very cruel People, tho not flout, but only 
becaufe they have Fire-arms, which they bought of the Euro- 
peans : That without them they never durft attack the Illinois, 
who are valianter, and more dexterous at Bows and Arrows 
than the Iroquois. 

Thofe Iroquois that don't go out to fight, are contemn'd, 
and pafs for Cowards and effeminate Men. Becaufe they 
have Firelocks, they invade all other Nations between both 
Seas, that is, from North to South : and no Nation in America 
can fland before the Iroquois on account of their Firelocks. 



5o6 A Voyage into North America. 

This renders them haughty and infufferable. They call 
themfelves Men by way of Excellence, as tho other Nations 
were no more than Brutes in comparifon with them.^ I 
underftand very well how to bring the Iroquois to a better 
pafs : but a Man of my Charadler ought not to talk of thefe 
Matters but with a great deal of Caution, becaufe the Reme- 
dies which I would propofe, might perhaps be worfe than the 
Mifchief that might be apprehended from that Nation; 
neverthelefs I may difqover my Sentiments in due time to 
thofe high Perfons that put me upon writing this Work. 



1 This sort of arrogance was common to many other tribes ; for instance, Illinois is 
but the Gallicized form of Illini, a variant of irini, " the men." — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 507 



CHAP. XXIII. 

Of the Cruelty of the Savages in general, and particularly of the 
Iroquois. 

THERE are no Savages in all the Northern America but 
what are very cruel to their Enemies. We are aftonifh'd 
at the Cruelties which the Neroes, the Dioclejians, and the 
Maximins inflidled upon the Chriftians, and have their Names 
in Deteftation and [99] Horror; but the Inhumanity of the 
Iroquois towards the Nations they make Slaves goes beyond 
theirs. 

When the Iroquois have kill'd a Man, they tear off the 
Skin of his Scull, and carry it home with them as a certain 
Mark of their Vidlory. When they take a Slave, they tie 
him, and make him run after them ; if he is unable to follow 
them, they ftick their Hatchet into his Head, and there leave 
him, after they have torn off Skin and Hair together. They 
don't fpare fucking infants : If the Slave can march after 
them, they tie him every Night to a piece of Wood made in 
the form of a St. Andrew's Crofs, and leave him expos'd to 
be ftung by the Maringoins, and other Flies, in Summer-time, 
and ufe him as cruelly as may be. 

Sometimes they fix four Pegs into the Ground, to which 
they faften their Slaves by the Feet and Hands, and fo 



So8 A Voyage into North America. 

leave them all Night long upon the Ground In the fharpeft 
Weather. I omit a hundred other Sufferings which thefe 
miferable Wretches undergo in the day-time. When they 
are near their Villages, they fet up loud Cries, whereby their 
Nation knows that their Warriours are return'd with Slaves. 
Then the Men and Women put on their beft Apparel, and 
go to the entrance of the Village to receive them ; there they 
make a lane for the Slaves to pafs through them. But 'tis 
a lamentable Reception for thefe poor People : The Rabble 
fall upon them like Dogs or Wolves upon their Prey, and 
begin to torment them, whilft the Warriours march on in 
File, mightily puff'd up with their own Exploits. 

Some kick the Slaves, fome cudgel them, fome cut them 
with Knives, fome tear off their Ears, cut off their Nofes or 
Lips, infomuch that moft of them die in this pompous Entry. 
Thofe that refiil againft thefe rude Treatments, are referv'd 
for exemplary Punlfhment. Sometimes they fave fome, but 
very [iQo] rarely. When the Warriours are entred into their 
Cabins, the Antients affemble themfelves to hear the relation 
of what pafs'd in the War. 

If the Father of a Savage Woman has been kill'd, they 
give her a Slave for him, and 'tis free for that Woman either 
to put him to Death, or fave him alive. When they burn 
them, this is their manner; They bind the Slave to a Poft by 
the Hands and Feet, then they heat red-hot Mufquet-barrels, 
Hatchets, and other Iron Inftruments, and apply them red- 
hot from head to foot, all over their Body ; they tear off their 
Nails, and pluck out their Teeth ; they cut Collops of Flefh 



A Voyage into North America. 509 

out of their Backs, and often flea [flay] their Skin off from 
their Scull : After all this they throw hot Afhes upon their 
Wounds, cut out their Tongues, and treat them as cruelly as 
they can devife. If they don't die under all thefe Torments, 
they make them run and follow them, laying them on with 
Sticks. 'Tis reported, that once a Slave ran fo well, that he 
fav'd himfelf in the Woods, and could not be catch'd again. 
'Tis probable he died there for want of Succour. But what 
is more furprizing is, that the Slaves fing in the midft of their 
Torments, which frets their Executioners exceedingly. 

An Iroquois told us that there was one Slave whom they 
tormented cruelly ; but he told them. You have no Ingenuity, 
you don't know how to torment your Prifoners, you are mere 
Blockheads ; if I had you in my Circumfbances, I'd ufe you 
after another manner: but whilfb he ran on fo boldly, a Sav- 
age Woman gets a little Iron Spit heated red-hot, and runs it 
into his Yard : this made him roar ; but he told the Woman, 
You are cunning, you underfl:and fomething, this is the 
Courfe you fhould take with us. 

When the Slave which they burn is dead, they eat him; 
and before his Death they make their Children [loi] drink 
fome of his Blood, to render them cruel and inhumane. 
Thofe that they give their Lives to, live with them, and ferve 
them like Slaves : But in length of time they recover their 
Liberty, and are look'd upon as if they were of their own 
Nation.^ 



^ Regarding the treatment of Indian captives, see Jes. Relations, index, art. In- 
dians : social and economic life — captives. — Ed. 



5IO A Voyage into North America. 

The Savages of the Louifiana that dwell along the River 
Mejchafipi^ and are fituated feven or eight hundred Leagues 
beyond the Iroquois^ as the Iffati and Nadoueffans^ amongft 
whom I was a Slave, are not lefs brave than the Iroquois; 
they make all the Nations round them tremble, tho they 
have nothing but Bows, Arrows, and Maces. They run 
fwifter than the Iroquois, and make excellent Souldiers ; but 
they are not fo cruel : they don't eat the Flefh of their Ene- 
mies ; they are content to burn them only. Once having 
taken a Huron, who eat humane Flefti as the Iroquois, they cut 
off pieces of Flefh from his own Body, and faid to him, You 
that love Man's Flefh, eat of your own, to let your Nation 
know, who now live among the Iroquois, that we deteft and 
abominate your Barbarities ; for thefe People are like hungry 
Dogs that devour any fort of Meat.^ 

The Iroquois are the only Savages of North America that 
eat humane Flefh ; and yet they don't do it but in cafes ex- 
traordinary, when they are refolved to exterminate a whole 
Nation. They don't eat humane Flefh to fatisfy their Appe- 
tites ; 'tis to fignify to the Iroquoife Nation, that they ought 
to fight without ever fubmitting to their Enemies ; that they 
ought rather to eat them than leave any of them alive : They 
eat it to animate their Warriours ; for they always march out 
of their five Cantons the day after, to fight with their Ene- 
mies ; for the Rendezvous for next day is always given notice 
of by thefe Feafts of humane Flefh.^ 



^This story is told by Perrot {Memoire, p. 103), of an Ottawa chief. — Ed. 
^Stijes. Relations, index, art. Cannibalism. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 511 

If the Europeans would leave furnifhing the Iroquois with 
Fire-arms, who are not fo dextrous at the Bow [102] as for- 
merly they were, the other Nations on the contrary having 
always been us'd to it, they would infallibly root out the 
Iroquois^ their common Enemies, who dwell four and five 
hundred Leagues off from them. 

The firft Canton of the Iroquois lies Southward ; they call 
it Gagnieguez, or Agniez ; they are Neighbours to New Tork, 
and have three Villages which I have been in ; they make up 
at moft four hundred fighting Men. The Second lies Weft- 
ward, and is call'd Onneiouts, and make up about a hundred 
and fifty fighting Men. The Third, which lies Weftward 
likewife, contains the Onnontagtiez or Mountaineers, a People 
fituated upon the only Eminence in the five Cantons; they 
border upon the Onneiouts. Thefe Onnontagtiez have three 
hundred fighting Men, the braveft of the whole Nation. The 
Fourth lies about thirty Leagues further Weftward, where 
live the Oiotiguens, divided into three Villages, who make up 
three hundred fighting Men. The Fifth contains the Tfon- 
nontouans, towards the further end of the Lake Frontenac or 
Ontario : Thefe People are the greateft and moft confider- 
able of all the Iroquois Cantons. They comprehend in three 
Villages three hundred fighting Men. 

I took notice in my firft Volume of three or four Iroquois 
Villages on the North-fide of the Lake Ontario or Frontenac; 
but I don't defcribe thefe five Cantons of the Iroquois here, 
I only treat of their Barbarity and Cruelty ; and add, that 
they have fubdued a very large Country fince within thefe 



512 A Voyage into North America. 

fifty Years ; that they have extended their Territories, and 
multiplied their Nation by the Deftru6tion of other People, 
the Remainder of whom they have made Slaves, to encreafe 
the number of their Troops. 



A Voyage into North America. 513 



[103] CHAP. XXIV. 

The Policy of the Savage Iroquois. 

THE Councils held continually by thefe Barbarians for 
ordering all Affairs, ought to be confider'd as the main 
Caufe of their Prefervation, and the fear all the Nations of 
North America are put in by them. They affemble for every 
little Bufinefs that is to be done, and confult what Methods 
they fhould take to gain their ends. They undertake nothing 
hand over head. Their old Men, who are wife and prudent, 
watch over the Publick. If one complains that fome Perfon 
has robb'd him, they carefully inform themfelves who it is 
that committed the Theft. If they can't find him out, or if 
he is not able to make reftitution, provided they be fatisfied 
of the truth of the Fa6l, they repair the Lofs, by giving fome 
Prefent to the injur'd Party, to his Content. 

When they would put any body to death for an enormous 
Crime, which they are perfwaded he is guilty of, they hire a 
Man, whom they make drunk with Brandy, (for thefe People 
are very greedy of it) that the Kinsfolks of the Criminal may 
not feek to revenge his Death. After this drunken Man has 

kill'd him whom they judg culpable, they give this account of 
ii-n 



5 14 A Voyage into North America. 

it, that he that flew him was mad and drunk when he ftruck 
the blow.^ Formerly they had another way of doing Juftice, 
but 'tis abrogated ; They had a Feail once a Year, which we 
may call, The Feaft of Fools, for they play'd the fool in good 
earneft, running about from Cabin to Cabin.^ If during that 
day they fell foul upon any one, or took away any thing, the 
cunning old Men next day excus'd [104] all, by alledging 
that he that had done the Mifchief was a Fool, and out of his 
Wits. Afterwards they made fome Prefents to wipe off the 
Tears of the Kindred of the Perfon who was malicioufly kiil'd. 
His Relations take up with that Excufe, without proceeding 
to take Vengeance. Then thefe Antients hir'd fecretly fome 
Perfon, who aded the Fool, and kiil'd the Perfon pitch'd 
upon, whom they had a mind to get rid of. 

The Iroquois have Spies and hir'd Men amongft them, who 
come and go perpetually, and tell them all the News they 
learn. They are crafty enough in Traffick, and are not eafily 
cheated : They dehberate maturely upon every thing, and 
endeavour to underfland the Merchandize before they truck 
for it. 

The Onnontagez, or Iroquois Highlanders, are more fubtle 
and crafty than the reft : They fteal very cleverly. The Algon- 



1 Drunkenness was regarded by the Indians as a sufficient excuse for a crime com- 
mitted under its influence ; they held that the liquor, and not the man who drank it, 
was responsible for the deed ; see Jes. Relations^ liii, p. 257. — Ed. 

2 An allusion to the Huron-Iroquois feast called Ononharoia, or " feast of dreams," 
wherein each person desired others to guess what he had dreamed, and to make him 
presents accordingly. See Jes. Relations, under the above title. — Ed, 



A Voyage into North America. 515 

kains, t\\Q Abenaki, the EJquimoves, and abundance more Sav- 
ages that have convers'd with the Europeans, are as fharp and 
politick as they. We are not to imagine that thefe People are 
Brutes, and irrational ; no, they underftand their own Inter- 
eft thorowly, and order their Affairs very difcreetly. 



5i6 A Voyage into North America. 



CHAP. XXV. 

Of the manner of the Savages hunting of all forts of wild Beafls; 
and of the admirable Induflry of the Caftors or Bevers. 

THE Savages obferve the Time, the Seafons, and the 
Moons of the Year very pundlually, for the better order- 
ing their Hunting. They call their [105] Moons from the 
Name of thofe Beafts which at certain Seafons appear the 
moft. They call it the Moon of Frogs, when the Frogs make 
their greateft Croaking ; the Moon of Bulls, when thofe wild 
Beafts appear; the Moon of Swallows, when thofe Birds comiC, 
and when they go. Thefe Barbarians reckon thus, becaufe 
they have no other Names to diftinguifh their Months by, as 
the Europeans have. They ufe the fame Method for the 
Names of Men, caUing them, Serpent, Wolf, wild Cat, &c. 
They hunt the Elk and the Goat in all feafons, but more 
particularly when there is Snow. They hunt the wild Cat 
and the Marmofet^ in Winter, the Porcupine, the Caftor, and 
the Otter, in the Spring, and fometimes in Autumn. They 
take the Elk in a Gin by the Neck, and the Caftor in Traps. 
They kill the Bears with Arrows or Shot, upon the Oaks, 



^This word should be " marmot," referring to the animal of that name, which is 
abundant in Canada and the northern United States. The genus is Arctomys; the 
two most common species are the hoary marmot, or whistler {A. pruinosus). and the 
woodchuck {A. monax) . — Ed. 



A Foyage into North America. 517 

when they eat the Acorns. As to the wild Cats, they fell 
the Tree they are upon, and then the wild Dogs^ fall upon 
them and kill them. The Porcupines are taken almoft in the 
fame manner, with this only difference, that they kill them 
with a Hatchet or Fork when the Tree is fain ; for the Dogs 
cannot come near them, becaufe of their Quills, which are 
fharper than Awls, and by little and little pierce a Man's 
Body in an imperceptible manner ; and thefe Beafts would in- 
fallibly be the death of thofe Dogs that fhould attack them : 
Thefe Beafls do not run fwift, a Man may eafily overtake 
them in running. They take the Otters in Traps, where they 
kill them with Arrows or Shot ; they feldom kill them with 
Hatchets, becaufe they are quick of hearing. 

They take the Caftors in Winter under the Ice : they firft 
feek out for the Ponds where thefe Beafts frequent : The 
Caftors fhew an admirable Skill and Induftry in the building 
of their little Cabins. When they change their abode, they 
feek out fome [io6] Brook in the Woods, and run upwards 
along the fide of it till they come to fome flat Country fit to 
make a Pond in ; then after they have well viewed the place 
on every fide, they begin to make a Dam to ftop the Water: 
They make it as ftrong as the Dam of any Pond in Europe^ 
of Wood, Earth, and Mud ; and fometimes fo big, that it 
will hold the Water of a Pond a quarter of a League long. 
They make their Cabins about the middle of the Level of 
the Water, with Wood, Rufhes and Mud ; and they plaifter 
it all fmoothly together with their Tails, which are longer, 

^Probably a mistranslation ; it would better read " the dogs of the savages." — Ed. 



5i8 A Voyage into North America. 

and full as broad as a Mafon's Trowel. Their Buildings are 
three or four Stories high, filled almoft full with Mats of 
Rufhes; and in this place the Females bring forth their 
young ones. 

At the bottom of the Water there are Paffages higher 
and lower. When the Ponds are frozen over, they can only 
go under the Ice: And for this reafon at the beginning of 
Winter they make a provifion of Afpen Wood, which is their 
ordinary Food : They keep it in the Water round about their 
Cabins. The Savages pierce the Ice about the Cabin with 
the handle of a Hatchet, or a Stake ; and when they have 
made a hole, they found the bottom of the Water to find out 
the Caflor'% Track : When they have found it out, they put in 
a Net a fathom long, and two Sticks, of which the two ends 
below touch the ground, and the two ends above come out 
at the hole which is made in the Ice. They have two Cords 
fixed to the Sticks to draw the Net when the Cajlor is taken. 

But to the end this fubtle Animal may not fee the Net, 
nor the Men, they ftrow upon the Surface of the Ice rotten 
Wood, Cotton, and fuch like things. One Savage flays to 
watch near the Net with a Hatchet, to draw the Caftor upon 
the Ice when he is taken, while the refl break down the 
Cabins with a great deal of labour: They often find more 
than a [107] foot of Wood and Earth, which they are forced 
to hew with a Hatchet, for it's frozen as hard as a Stone. 
When that is done, they found the Pond, and wherefoever 
they find a hole, they break the Ice for fear the Caftors fhould 
hide themfelves under it ; fo driving them from place to 



A Voyage into North America. 519 

place, at laft they force them into the Net. They labour 
extream hard in this manner from Morning till Night with- 
out eating any thing, and for all that do not take above 
three or four Caftors. 

The Savages take alfo in the Spring thefe Beads with 
Traps in the following manner. When the Ice begins to 
thaw, they obferve the Cajior^s Paffage, and fet a Trap there ; 
they bait that with a branch of the Afpin Tree, which reaches 
from the Trap into the Water. When the Cajlor finds, he 
eats it even in the Trap, and then falls upon two great Logs 
of Wood which kill him. They take the Martens almoft in 
the fame manner, with this difference only, that they put no 
Bait for them. 

All the Southern Nations towards the River Mejchafipi are 
more fuperftitious in their hunting than the Northern People, 
and particularly the Iroques. Whilft I was among them, their 
old Men, fix days before the hunting of the wild Bulls, fent 
four or five of their moft expert Hunters upon the Moun- 
tains to dance the Calumet with as many Ceremonies, as 
amongft the Nations to which they are wont to fend Em- 
baflies, to make fome Alliance. At the return of thefe Men, 
they openly expofed for three days together one of the great 
Caldrons they had taken from us : They had wreathed it 
round about with Feathers of divers Colours, and laid a Gun 
acrofs over it. For three days together the chief Wife of a 
Captain carried this Caldron upon her Back, with Flowers 
in great Pomp, at the head of above two hundred Hunters : 
They all followed an old Man who had faftned [io8] one of 



520 A Voyage into North America. 

our Indian Handkerchiefs to the end of a Pole like a Banner, 
holding his Bow and Arrows ; he marched with great Gravity 
and Silence. 

This old Man made the Hunters halt three or four times, 
to lament bitterly the Death of thofe Bulls they hop'd to 
kill. At the laft Stage where they refted, the moft antient of 
the Company fent two of their nimbleft Hunters to difcover 
wild Bulls. They whifpered foftly to them at their return, 
before they began the hunting of thefe Beafts. Afterwards 
they made a Fire of Bulls Dung dry'd in the Sun, and with 
this Fire they lighted their Pipes or Calumets^ to fmoak the 
two Hunters which had been fent to make the Difcovery. 
Prefently after this Ceremony was over, a hundred Men went 
on one fide behind the Mountain, and a hundred on the 
other, to encompafs the Bulls, which were in great numbers : 
They killed a great many in Confufion with their Arrows, 
and we Europeans feven or eight with Shot. Thefe Barba- 
rians did wonderfully admire the effedt of our Guns : They 
heard the Report, but did not fee the Bullets, and they 
thought it was the Noife that kill'd them ; they laid their 
Hands on their Mouths, to fhow how much they were afton- 
ifh'd, and cry'd out, Manfa Oiiacanche^ which fignifies in the 
Language of the Ijfati, this Iron does harm to Men and 
Beafts : We do not know how it comes to pafs, but we can- 
not fufficiently admire how the Noife of this round Inftru- 
ment breaks the Bones of the largeft Beaft. 

It was no fmall matter of Admiration to fee thefe Sav- 
ages flea [flay] the Bull, and get it in pieces ; they had neither 



A Voyage into North America. 521 

Knives nor Hatchets, but fome few they had ftole from us, 
and yet they did it dexteroufly with the Point of their Ar- 
rows, which was made of a fharp Stone : Afterwards they took 
Stones, and broke the Bones, and with them they feparated 
one piece [109] from another. After they had thus difmem- 
bred the Bead, their Wives dry'd them in the Sun, and the 
Smoak of fmall Fire, upon wooden Gridirons. While the 
Hunting lafts, they only eat the Intrals, and the worft pieces 
of thofe Beafts, and carry the beft part home to their Vil- 
lages, which are above two hundred Leagues from the place 
of hunting. 



522 A Voyage into North America. 



CHAP. XXVI. 

Of their manner of Fifhing. 

THE Savages that dwell in the North fifh in a different 
manner from thofe of the South : The firft catch all 
forts of Fifh with Nets, Hooks, and Harping-irons [i. ^., 
harpoons], as they do in Europe. I have feen them fifh in a 
very pleafant manner: They take a Fork of Wood with two 
Grains or Points, and fit a Gin to it, almoft the fame way 
that in France they catch Partridges : After they put it in 
the Water, and when the Fifh, which are in greater plenty 
by far than with us, go to pafs through, and find they are 
entred into the Gin, they fnap together this fort of Nippers 
or Pinchers, and catch the Fifh by the Gills. 

The Iroques in the fifhing feafon fometimes make ufe of a 
Net of forty or fifty fathom long, which they put in a great 
Canow ; after they caft it in an oval Form in convenient 
places in the Rivers. I have often admired their dexterity 
in this Affair. They take fometimes four hundred white 
Fifh, befides many Sturgeons, which they draw to the Bank 
of the River with Nets made of Nettles.^ To fifh in this 



1 La Potherie describes {Amir. Septentrionale, iii, p. 34) the way in which the 
fibers of the nettle {Urtica) were spun by the Iroquois women into cords, with which 
they made fish-nets. See also Holmes's "Prehistoric Textile Art," in U. S. Bur. 
Ethnol. Rep., 1891-92, pp. 3-46. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 523 

manner, there muft be two Men at each end of the Net, 
to draw it dexteroufly to the fhoar. They take [no] like- 
wife a prodigious quantity of Fifh in the River of Niagara^ 
which are extreamly well tafted. 

The Filliery is fo great in this place, that it's capable to 
furnifh with Fifh of feveral forts the greateft City in Europe. 
It's not to be wonder'd at. The Fifh continually fwim up 
the River from the Sea towards the Spring, to find conven- 
ient places to fpawn in. The River of St. Laurence receives 
in this part of Niagara an infinite quantity of Water from 
the four great Lakes of which we have fpoke, and which 
may properly be called little frefh-water Seas. This great 
deluge of Water tumbling furioufly over the greateft and 
moft dreadful Leap in the World, an infinite number of Fifh 
take great delight to fpawn here, and as it were ftagnate 
here, becaufe they cannot get over this huge Catara6l : So 
that the quantity taken here is incredible. 

Whilft I was in the Million of the Fort Frontenac, I went 
to fee this Leap, which comes from a River in the North, 
and falls into a great BaJJin of the Lake Ontario, big enough 
to hold a hundred Men of War. Being there, I taught the 
Savages to catch Fifh with their Hands : I caufed Trees to 
be cut down in the Spring, and to be rolled down to the 
Bank of the River, that I might lie upon them without wet- 
ting me ; and after I thruft my Arm into the Water up to 
the Elbow, where I found a prodigious quantity of Fifh of 
different Species ; I laid hold on them by the Gills, gently 
ftroking them ; and when I had at feveral times taken fifty 



524 A Voyage into North America. 

or fixty large Fifh, I went to warm and refrefh me, that I 
might return frefher to the Sport : I caft them into a Sack 
which a Savage held in his hand. With thefe I fed above 
fifty Iroquefe Families of Ganneoujfe^ and by the affiftance of 
Monfieur de la Salle, taught them to plant the Indian Corn, 
and to inftrud their Children in the Chriftian Rehgion at 
the Fort Frontenac. 

[hi] The moft confiderable Fifhery of the Savages is that 
of Eels, which are very large, of Salmons, and Salmon-trouts, 
and white Fifh. The Fifhery of the Iroques Agnies which are 
near New Tork, is of Frogs, which they take, and put them 
whole into their Caldrons without skinning them, to feafon 
their Sagamite, which is a fort of Pottage made of Indian 
Corn. The Salmon-trouts are taken in many other places 
of the Rivers which fall into the Lake of Frontenac : There 
are there fuch quantities of them, that they kill them with 
Sticks. 

They take the Eels in the Night when it's calm : Thefe 
come down all along the River of St. Laurence, and are taken 
in this manner. The Savages put a large Bark of the Birch- 
Tree, with fome Earth upon the end of a Stake, after v/hich 
they light a fort of a Flambleau which gives a clear Light ; 
after that one or two go into a Canow, with a Harping-Iron 
placed between the two Grains of a little Fork: when they 
fee the Eels by the light of the Fire, they ftrike an infinite 
quantity of them, becaufe the great white Porpofes which 
purfue them make them fiy towards the Banks of the River 
where the Porpofe cannot follow, becaufe of the fhallownefs 



A Voyage into North America. 525 

of the Water. They take Salmons with Harping-Irons, and 
the white Fifh with Nets. 

The Southern People which dwell upon the River Mef- 
chafipi are fo crafty, and have fuch quick and piercing Eyes, 
that tho the Fifh fwim very faft, they will not fail to ftrike 
them with Darts a great depth in the Water, which they fhoot 
with a Bow. Befides, they have long Poles fharp at one end, 
which they dart moft dexteroufly : In this manner they kill 
great Sturgeons, and Trouts, which are feven or eight fathom 
in the Water. 



526 A Voyage into North America. 



[112] CHAP. XXVII. 

Of the Utenfils of the Savages in their Cabins; and of the extraor- 
dinary manner they flrike Fire. 

BEFORE the Europeans arrived in the North America^ the 
Savages of the North and the South made ufe (as they 
do even to this day) of Pots of Earth ^; efpecially thofe that 
have no Commerce with the Europeans, and can procure no 
Caldrons or other Utenfils: Inftead of Hatchets and Knives, 
they make ufe of fharp Stones, which they tie with Thongs 
of Leather in the end of a cleft Stick. Inftead of Awls, they 
make ufe of a certain fharp Bone, which is above the Heel 
of the Elk : They have no Fire- Arms, but only make ufe of 
Bows and Arrows. 

For to make Fire in a new manner, new, and quite un- 
known to us, they take a Triangle of Cedar Wood, of a foot 
and half, in which they make fome Holes of a fmall depth: 
After they take a Switch or little Stick of hard Wood ; they 
twirl it between both their Hands in the Hole, and by the 
quick Motion, produce a kind of Duft or Meal, which is 
converted into Fire ; after they pour out this white Pouder 



1 Regarding the use of pottery among the Indian tribes, see Beauchamp's " Earth- 
enware of the New York Aborigines" (No. 22 of N. Y. State Museum Bulletins); 
Holmes's " Ancient Pottery of the Mississipi Valley," in U. S. Bur. Ethnol. Rep., 
1882-83, pp. 367-463. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 527 

upon a Bunch of dried Herbs, and rubbing altogether, and 
blowing upon this Pouder, which is upon the Herbs, the Fire 
blazes in a moment. 

When they would make Platters, or wooden Spoons, or 
Porringers, they drill their Wood with their ftone Hatchets, 
and hollow it with Fire, and do after fcrape it, and polifh it 
with a Bever's Tooth. 

[113] The Northern Nations, who have commonly very 
fharp Winters, make ufe of Rackets to go over the Snow; 
they make them of the Thongs of Skins cut out as broad as 
little Ribbons, neater than our Tennis Rackets : Thefe Rack- 
ets have no Handles, as thofe of the Tennis Court, but they 
are longer and broader; they leave in the middle a Slit the 
breadth of their Toes, that they may be at more liberty to 
walk with their favage Shoes : They will perform a greater 
Journey in a Day than without them. Without thefe Rackets 
they would fink into the Snow, which is commonly fix or feven 
foot deep, and fometimes more in Winter ; in fome places it's 
higher than the highefl Houfes in Europe, being driven into 
Mountains by the Wind. 

Thofe Savages which are near the Europeans, have at 
prefent Guns, Hatchets, Caldrons, Awls, Knives, Tongs, 
and fuch like Utenfils. 

To plant their Indian Corn, they make ufe of Pickax's of 
Wood, for want of thofe of Iron : They have large Gourds 
in which they put the Fat of Bears, wild Cats, &c. There is 
none, but has his leather Bag for his Pipe and Tobacco. The 
Women make Bags of the Rind oi Linden Tree, or of Rufhes, 



528 A Voyage into North America. 

to put their Corn in : They make Thred of Nettles, and of 
the Bark of the Line Tree, and of certain Roots, whofe Names 
I know not. To few their favage Shoes they make ufe of 
very fmall Thongs : They make likewife Mats of Bulrufhes 
to lie upon ; and when they have none, they make ufe of the 
Barks of Trees. They fwathe their Children as the European 
Women do, with this only diflPerence, that they make ufe of 
fwathing Bands of large Skins, and a fort of Cotton, that they 
may not be too hot : After they have fwathed them, they tie 
them upon a Board, or Plank with a Skin Girdle; after they 
hang this Plank upon the Branch of a Tree, or in fome place 
[114] of their Cabin, fo that their little ones never lie in Bed; 
they hang perpendicularly : And to the end their Urine may 
not hurt them, they place conveniently a piece of Birch-tree 
Bark ; fo that it runs away as it were in a Gutter, and 
touches not the Child's Body. 

Thefe Women have fo great a care of their Children, that 
they avoid all carnal Commerce with their Husbands, till the 
Child be three or four Years old : The European Women do 
not fo, becaufe 'tis eafy to fupply the defedl of the Mother's 
Milk, with the Milk of Cows, and other domeftick Animals; 
but they have none of this fort of Cattel: They avoid there- 
fore the Commerce of their Husbands while they are Nurfes ; 
for if they fhould prove with child, their Infants would un- 
doubtedly perifh, they having nothing futable for a Child of 
feven or eight Months old. 

The Savages which have Commerce with the Europeans, 



A Voyage into North America. 529 

begin to make ufe of Iron Crooks and Pot-hooks, which they 
hang upon a Stick, which refts upon two-forked Sticks fixed 
in the Ground : but thofe that have no Commerce, make ufe 
of the Branches of Trees to hang their earthen Pots upon to 
boil their Viduals. 



530 A Voyage into North America. 



[115] CHAP. XXVIII. 

Of the Manner of their Interring their Dead : Of the Feflival of 
the Dead, with fome Refie5lions on the Immortality of the Soul. 

THE Savages bury their Dead with the greateft Magni- 
ficence they can devife, efpecially their Relations, and 
particularly their Captains or Heads of their Clans or 
Tribes: They put on their befl: Attire, and paint their Face 
and Body with all forts of Colours. They put them in a 
fort of Coffin made of the Bark of Trees, and they polifh 
the outfide neatly with light Pumice Stones ; and they make 
a Place where they bury them in the manner of a Maufoleum, 
which they encompafs round about with Stakes or Palifa- 
does twelve or thirteen foot high. 

Thefe Maufoleums are commonly eredled in the moft 
eminent Place of their Savage Borough. They fend every 
Year folemn Embaffies to their neighbouring Nations, to 
folemnize the Feaft of the Dead. All the People of the 
Northern America fpare nothing to honour their dead 
Friends and Relations, whom they go to lament : They make 
Prefents efteemed among them very confiderable, as Girdles 
dyed with Sea-Purple, and Pipes made with the moft precious 
Stones that can be found ; and in a word with what they 
look upon to be the moft eftimable to the Parents of the 



A Voyage into North America. 531 

Defund. They condud: them to the Maufoleum, muttering 
a fort of Prayers, accompanied with Tears and Sighs, before 
the Bones, whofe Memory they honour for their great Ex- 
ploits in Peace and War. 

[116] Thefe Savages have particular Ceremonies for the 
Children of their deceas'd Friends: When they delign to 
bury thefe little ones, as foon as they are dead they wrap 
their Bodies in a white pinked Skin in the prefence of their 
Parents ; it's painted with many Colours : After they carry it 
and place it upon a kind of Sledg, and fo carry it to be 
buried : but inftead of making Prefents to the Parents of the 
deceafed Infants, as they do for thofe of riper Years, they 
themfelves receive them to wipe away their Tears, which they 
fhed in abundance, in the prefence of the Parents. 

The Savages have likewife a Cuftom of putting in the 
Coffin of the deceafed of riper Years, whatever they efteem 
valuable, tho to the value of two or three hundred Crowns : 
They put there Shoes of pinked Skins, garnifhed with red 
and black Porcupine, a Pair of Tongs, a Hatchet, Necklaces 
of Purple,^ a Pipe, a Caldron, and a potful of Sagamite, or 
Pottage of Indian Corn, with fome fat Meat. If he be a 
Man, they bury him with a Gun, Powder, and Ball; but 
thofe that have no Fire-Arms, content themfelves with put- 
ting in their Coffin their Bows and Arrows, that when they 
are in the Country of Souls (as they phrafe it) and of the 
Dead, they may make ufe of them in Hunting. 



1 That is, of wampum beads of the purple variety, regarded by the Indians as 
more valuable than the white. — Ed. 



532 A Voyage into North America. 

When I was among the Iffati Nadouejfans^ there died one 
of the Savages, that had been bit with a Rattle-Snake ; I 
came not time enough to give him my infallible Remedy, 
viz. Orvietan in Pouder. If this Accident happened to any 
one in my prefence, I made them prefently be fcarified upon 
the place that was bit, and caft fome of the Pouder upon it ; 
afterward I made them fwallow fome of it, to keep the Poifon 
from the Heart. Thefe Barbarians ftrangely admired me, 
that I cured one of their Chieftains, that had been bit by one 
of thefe Serpents: [117] They faid to me, Spirit^ for fo they 
call all Europeans^ we fought after you, and the other two 
Spirits your Companions; but we were fo unfortunate, that 
we could not find you ; leave us no more, we'll take care of 
you for the future : if you had been with us, our Chieftain, 
whom you fee dead, would have been in a condition to have 
been merry with you : He was excellently well verfed in the 
trade of furprizing and killing his Enemies ; he with hunting 
maintained his ten Wives : He would have been in a condi- 
tion to have been your Benefador, if you had been here to 
fave his Life : You could have done it eafily, fince you have 
cured fo many of our Relations; you would have done him 
this important piece of Service, and fpared our Tears. 

Thefe poor People feeing our Method, but not compre- 
hending it, believe we are capable of doing any thing even 
of arrefting Death: They often admired the efTeds of the 
Remedies, which I gave to their Sick, with a defign to cure 
their Spiritual Maladies, in bringing them to the Knowledg 
of the true God, by the Care I took of their Bodies. 



A Voyage into North America. 533 

I admired how neatly thefe Savages had laid out the dead 
Corps ; they had laid him upon fine Mats, and put him in 
the pofbure of a Warriour, with his Bow and Arrows : They 
painted his Body with divers Colours ; one would have 
thought at firft he had been alive. They faid I muft give 
him fome Tobacco of Martineco, of which I had a fmall 
quantity, that the Defundl might have fomething to fmoak : 
This gave me an occafion to tell them, that the dead did 
neither fmoak nor eat in the Country of Souls, and that they 
have no more need of Bows and Arrows ; for in the Country 
whither thofe Souls go, they go no more a hunting : That if 
they would learn to know the great Captain, they would be 
fo much fatisfied with feeing him, that they would think no 
[118] more of Hunting, neither of eating or drinking; for 
the Souls do not need it. 

They made but a grofs Conception of what I faid to 
them: afterwards I made them a Prefent of two Fathom of 
our black Tobacco ; they love it paflionately : Theirs is not 
fo well cured, nor fo ftrong as that of Martineco, of which I 
made them a Prefent. I made them underftand, that I gave 
it them to fmoak, and not to the deceafed, becaufe he had 
no need of it. Some of thofe Savages prefent gave me an 
attentive Ear, and were pleafed with my Difcourfe of another 
Life ; others faid in their Language, Tepatoui, which is as 
much as to fay very well : Afterwards they fat them down, and 
fell a fmoaking, taking no further notice of my Difcourfe. 

I obferved that the Tears which they fhed, and the Cer- 
emonies they pradlifed, as rubbing the Defundl with Bears 



534 A Voyage into North America. 

Fat, and fuch like things, were rather the Effeds of Cuftom, 
derived to them by Tradition, which feems to retain fome- 
thing of Judaifm, than of 3.ny ^rong j^ttache [attachment] they 
have for them. I do not abfolutely defpair of the future Sal- 
vation of thefe Barbarians. I believe God will raife up fome 
proper, means to enlighten them with the Light of the Gofpel; 
for his Holy Gofpel is to be preached to all the World before 
the Day of Judgment. 



A Voyage into North America. 535 



[119] CHAP. XXIX. 

Of the Superftitions of the Savages^ and of the ridiculous things 
they believe. 

I ALWAYS obferved that the ftrongeft Arguments that can 
be brought for the Converfion of Infidels are of no value 
till God give a BlefTing. How fhall they believe in him whom 
they have not heard fpeak? fays St. Paul. How fhall they 
underfland, if fome do not preach to them? And how fhall 
they preach if they be not fent? The found of the Apoflles 
is gone through the World, and their Words are heard even 
to the ends of the World. I ardently beg that the found of 
the Succefifors of the Apoflles may bring to the Paflures of 
Life that infinite number of Savages which I have feen in my 
Travels. Great pains have been taken a long time, but as 
yet no confiderable progrefs is made, for the generality of 
them are flrongly fixed in their Superftitions. 

Thefe Barbarians are one more fuperftitious than another, 
the Old Men efpecially ; and the Women mofl obflinately 
retain the Traditions of their Anceflors. When I told them 
it was a Foolery to believe fo many Dreams and Fancies ; 
they ask'd me how old I was? You are not above thirty five 
or forty years old, and do you pretend to know more than 
our Antient Men? Go, go, you know not what you fay; 



53^ A Voyage into North America. 

you may know what paffes in your own Country, becaufe 
your Anceftors have told you, but you cannot tell what has 
paffed in ours, before the Spirits^ that's to fay the Europeans, 
came hither. 

I reply'd to thefe Barbarians, that we knew all by the 
Scripture, which the great Mafter of Life has given [120] us 
by his Son ; that this Son died to deliver Men from a place 
where burns an eternal Fire, which would have been their 
lot, if he had not come into the World to fave us from Sin 
and from Death ; that all Mankind were Sinners in Adam, the 
firft Man of the World. Thefe Savages, who have a large 
fhare of common Senfe, often ask'd me, Did you Spirits know 
of our being here before you came hither? I anfwered them, 
No : You do not learn therefore all things by Scripture ; it 
tells you not all things, reply'd they. 

It requires a great deal of time to fhew them the Falfity 
of their Superftitions, and much more to perfwade them to 
imbrace the Verities of the Gofpel: There's none but God 
can do it by the Undion of his Grace and Holy Spirit. But 
for all this the Evangelical Reapers muft not defert the Har- 
veft. A time will come that Men will prefer the Interefts of 
Jefus Chrift, before their own: then there will be but one 
Shepherd, and one Sheepfold. 

There are many of the Savages that make the Stories of 
their Antients the fubje6t of their Raillery, but others be- 
lieve them. I have formerly given an account of the Senti- 
ments they have of their Origine, and of the Cure of their 
Maladies. They have fome Sentiments of the Immortahty 



A Voyage into North America. 537 

of the Soul. They fay there is a delicious Country towards 
the Weft, where there's good Hunting, and where they kill 
as many Beafts as they pleafe. It's thither they fay their 
Souls go. They hope to fee one another there. But they 
are yet more ridiculous. In believing that the Souls of Cal- 
drons, Guns and other Arms, which they place near the Sep- 
ulchre of the Dead, go with them to be made ufe of in the 
Country of Souls. 

A young Savage Maid dying after Baptifm, the Mother 
feeing one of her Slaves at the point of Death, faid, my 
Daughter is all alone in the Country of the Dead, among the 
Europeans, without Relations, [121] and without Friends: 
The Spring is at hand ; it's time to fow Indian Corn, and 
Citruls,^ or Pompions ; baptize my Slave, fays fhe, that fhe 
may go and ferve my Daughter in the Country of the 
Europeans.^ 

A Savage Woman being at the laft Gafp, cried out that 
fhe would not be baptized, for the Savages that die Chrif- 
tians are burned in the Country of Souls by the Europeans. 
Some of them told me one day, that we baptized them to 
make them our Slaves in the other World. Others asked 
me, if there was good Hunting in the Country, whither their 
dying newly baptized Infants were going? When I anfwer'd 
them, that they lived there without eating and drinking, be- 
caufe they are there fatiated with the Contemplation of the 
great Mafter of Life : We will not go thither, fay they, be- 

^Fr. citronilles ; the summer squash {Cucurbita polymcrpha) . — Ed. 

2 This story is told of a Seneca woman, in Jes. Relations, liv, pp. 93-95. — Ed. 



53^ A Voyage into North America. 

caufe we muil eat. If we reply that they will have no need 
of Food, they clap their Hands upon their Mouths in fign 
of Admiration, and fay, you are a great Liar ; Can one live 
without eating? 

A Savage told us one day this Story: One of our old 
Men, fays he, being dead, and being come to the Country 
of Souls, he found there firft Europeans that careffed him, 
and made much of him ; after he came to the place where 
his Country-men were, who hkewife received him very kindly : 
There were Feafls there every day, to which the Europeans 
were often invited ; for there are there neither Quarrels nor 
War: After this old Man had taken a full view of the Coun- 
try, he returned home, and recounted all his Adventures to 
thofe of his Nation. We asked the Savage if he believed this 
Story? He anfwered, No, that their Anceftors related it, but 
they might tell a Lie. 

Thefe People admit fome fort of Genius in every thing ; 
they all believe one Mafter of Life, but they make divers 
apphcations of it. Some have a lean [122] Crow, which they 
carry always about with them, and which they call their 
Mafter of Life. Others have an Owl, others a Bone, fome 
the Shell of a Fifh, and fuch like things. When they hear 
the Owl hout, they tremble, and take it for an ill Omen. 
They are great believers of Dreams. They go unto their 
Baths to procure good weather for Hunting. They never 
give the Bones of Bevers or Otters to their Dogs. I asked 
them the reafon ; they anfwered me, that there was an Otkon^ 
or Spirit, in the Wood which would tell the Bevers and Ot- 



A Voyage into North America. 539 

ters, and after that they would catch none. I asked them 
what that Spirit was ; they anfwered me that it was a Woman 
that knew every thing, who was the Lady of Hunting. But 
the greateft part of them do not believe thefe Fables. 

Whilft I was in the Miffion of Frontenac^ a Savage Woman 
was poifoned in the Wood by accident : The Hunters 
brought her into her Cabin ; I went to fee her after fhe was 
dead. I heard them difcourfing near the Body of the Dead ; 
they faid they had feen upon the Snow the winding Trails of 
a Serpent which came out of her Mouth. They related this 
very ferioufly. While they were difcourfing thus, an old 
fuperftitious Beldam faid, fhe had feen the Spirit that had 
killed her. 

I have feen a Boy of about eighteen years old, who 
believed himfelf to be a Girl; and this Fancy wrought fo 
ftrongly upon him, that he aded all things accordingly : He 
habited himfelf like a Girl, and employed himfelf in their fort 
of work. A Savage which we had decoyed into the Fort, and 
who was the Chief of his Village, told me one day that On- 
ontio, which is the Name they give to the Governour-General 
of Canada, who at that time was the Count of Frontenac, 
would come fuch a day, when the Sun was in fuch a place : 
which precifely came to pafs as he had [123] faid. This fame 
old Man, who was called Ganneoufe Kaera, that is to fay, the 
bearded, was the only Man of all the Savages which I faw with 
a Beard. The People of the Northern America commonly 
pluck away the Beard when it is but Down, and for this rea- 
fon they have no Beards. I muft confefs I knew not what 



540 A Voyage into North America. 

to fay when I faw the Count de Frontenac arrive. This Man 
had heard no News from any body. When I asked him how 
he came to know it ; he faid he had learned it of a Jugler 
who pretended to foretel things. But I believe their Pre- 
didions are rather the effedl of Hazard, than of any Com- 
merce they have with the Devil. 



A Voyage into North America. 541 



CHAP. XXX. 

Of the Obftacles that are found in the Converfton of the Savages. 

THERE are many Obftacles that hinder the Converfion 
of the Savages ; but in general the difficulty proceeds 
from the indifferency they have to every thing. When one 
fpeaks to them of the Creation of the World, and of the 
Myfteries of the Chriftian Religion ; they fay we have Reafon : 
and they applaud in general all that we fay on the grand 
Affair of our Salvation. They would think themfelves guilty 
of a great Incivility, if they fhould fhew the leaft fufpicion of 
Incredulity, in refped of what is propofed. But after having 
approved all the Difcourfes upon thefe Matters ; they pre- 
tend likewife on their fide, that we ought to pay all poffible 
Deference to the Relations and Reafonings that they make 
on their part. And when we make anfwer. That what they 
tell us is falfe; they reply, that they have acquiefced [124] 
to all that we faid, and that it's want of Judgment to inter- 
rupt a Man that fpeaks, and to tell him that he advances a 
falfe Propofition. All that you have taught touching thofe 
of your Country, is as you fay : But it's not the fame as to 
us, who are of another Nation, and inhabit the Lands which 
are on this fide the great Lake. 

The fecond Obftacle which hinders their Converfion, pro- 



542 A Voyage into North America. 

ceeds from their great Superftition, as we have infinuated 
before. 

The third Obftacle confifts in this, that they are not 
fixt to a place. While I was at Fort Frontenac^ Father Luke 
Butjfet^ and my felf, were employed a great part of the Year 
to teach many Children our ordinary Prayers, and to read in 
the Iroquois Language ; their Parents aflifted at the Service 
in the Chappel : they lift up their Hands to Heaven, and 
kneeled, beating their Breafts, and behaved themfelves with 
great refpe6l in our Prefence. They feemed to be moved 
with our Ceremonies ; but they did fo to pleafe us, and their 
only aim feemed to be to get fome Prefents from the Euro- 
peans. 

But in cafe they had had fome laudable Defign, they 
would quickly have renounced it, becaufe they ftay no longer 
in their Villages than till Harveft be over, which is but a 
fmall time: All the reft of the Year they pafs in Wars and 
Hunting. Then they carry their Families with them, and are 
abfent eight or nine Months : Their Children then, which 
have begun to learn fomething, forget all, and fall to their 
former Superflitions and methods of living. Befides, their 
Juglers, and their old Superftitious Men, minding nothing 
but their Interefl:, endeavour to create in them a hatred 
towards us, left they fhould believe what we teach them. 

The Merchants who deal commonly with the Savages, 
with a defign to gain by their Traffick, are [125] likewife 
another Obftacle : St. Aiigu/line long fince faid of them, Con- 
tinua eji in illis meditatio doli, &' tritura mendacii ; They think 



A Voyage into North America. 543 

of nothing but cheating and lying, to become rich in a {hort 
time. They ufe all manner of Stratagems to get the Furs 
of the Savages cheap. They make ufe of Lies and Cheats to 
gain double if they can. This without doubt caufes an aver- 
fion againft a Religion which they fee accompanied by the 
Profeffors of it with fo many Artifices and Cheats. 

It muft likewife be confeffed, that there are fome MifTion- 
aries which in part hinder the progrefs. It's hard to learn 
their Languages, they being fo different one from another, 
that they are nothing like. There is then required a great 
deal of time to be able to teach them the Myfteries of our 
Religion; and unlefs the Holy Ghoft infpire extraordinarily, 
little Fruit is to be expedted from thefe barbarous People. 

Befides, the different methods that are ufed to inftrudl 
them, retard much their Converfion. One begins by the 
Animal part, and another by the Spiritual. There are diver- 
fity of Behefs among the Chriftians ; every one abounds in 
his own Senfe, and believes his own Faith the pureft, and his 
Method the beft. There ought therefore to be an uniform- 
ity in Belief and Method, as there is but one Truth, and one 
Redeemer, otherwife thefe Barbarians will not know what to 
refolve. 

I put a great deal of difference between the zeal and 
indefatigable pains of the Miflioners, and the pretended Suc- 
ceffes which are vaunted of in the World. They who are 
abfolutely difingaged from the love of Riches, and who have 
been in the Miffion among the People of the Southern 
America^ have without doubt made a great progrefs in thofe 



544 ^ Voyage into North America. 

Countries. There are forty or fifty Provinces of our Order, 
where the publick Service is performed. They are in poffef- 
iion [126] to preach with Authority, after having deftroyed 
Idolatry. 

But we mufl confefs, that thofe who have laboured in the 
Northern America, have not had the fame progrefs. They 
have made it their application to civilize thofe barbarous 
People, and make them capable of fomething of Policy. They 
have endeavoured to put a ftop to the Current of their Brutal 
Sallies, and fo prepare the way of our Lord : notwithftanding 
we muft confefs they have made little Progrefs. Thefe bar- 
barous Nations, by I know not what fatality of Intereft, are 
almoft as Savage, and have as great an Attache to their antient 
Maxims, to Gluttony, Pride, Curfing and Cruelty, and a 
thoufand other abominable Vices as ever. 

They are the fame they were forty years ago, and above : 
And yet many Books are publirtied of the great Converfions 
of the Iroquois and Htirofis. We were told for certain, that 
thefe Barbarians had built as many Churches and Chappels 
as they had deftroyed, and yet they are iVill Enemies of all 
the good Maxims of Chriftianity. 

I do not deny here but that the Millionaries have faith- 
fully difcharged their Miniftry : But the Seed has fallen upon 
an ungrateful Soil, either on the Highway, or among the 
Thorns ; fo that they'l remain inexcufable at the day of 
Judgment, having relifted fo clear Convirtions. 

Be it as it will, every day a great manv Children are 



A Voyage into North America. 545 

baptized, and fome grown Men on their Death-beds if they 
defire it, which is a great ftep to Eternity : But as to thofe 
in Health, few are converted, and fewer perfevere. But 
the Pains, and the entire Sacrifice of the Life of a Mif- 
fionary, would be well employ'd, and glorioufly recompens'd, 
if they had had the Happinefs to convert and fave one only 
Soul. 

[127] The principal and moft affured part of a Miflioner 
confifts in the Adminiftration of the Sacraments to thofe who 
go to barter among the Savages. And we may to our fhame 
truly fay, that as foon as the Furs and the Bevers begin to 
grow fcarce among the Savages, the Europeans retire, and 
not one is to be found. The Savages reproached us with it 
once in the Prefence of Monfieur the Count de Frontenac^ in 
full Council, at the three Rivers of Canada^ faying, While we 
have Bevers and Furs, he that prayed was with us ; he in- 
ftrudted our Children, and taught them their Prayers and 
Catechifms ; he was infeparable from us, and honoured us 
fometimes at our Feafts : but when our Merchandize failed, 
thefe Miffioners thought they could do no further Service 
among us. 

It's likewife true, that the greateft part of thofe Miffions 

which were eftablifhed above forty Years ago have failed : 

Witnefs thofe of the great Bay of St. Lawrence, of Rijiigouch, 

of Nipifiguit, of MiskoUy Cape Breton, Port-royal, of the River 

^olf, of the Cape of St. Mary Magdalen, of the three Rivers, 

and many more which were eftablifhed among the Hurons at 
n-13 



54^ A Voyage into North America. 

the head of this River.^ Thofe that were Miflionaries in 
thofe Parts, thought good to quit them, and even Tadouffac 
it felf, to eftablifh themfelves at Chigoutmi. 

If God give me Health and Life, in a third Tome I'll give 
an account of other Obfi:acles more confiderable, which hin- 
der the propagation of the Gofpel : I'll only fay in this place, 
that thofe that would employ themfelves to the purpofe in 
thofe Parts in this painful Miniftry, muft tread under foot the 
Riches of the World, and content themfelves with a mean 
Subfiftence, according to the Dodlrine of the Apoftles. 



^ Miscou (Miskou) is a small Island at the mouth of Bale des Chaleurs, the inlet 
separating New Brunswick and Gaspe. Restigouche and Nepisiguit are rivers flowing 
into that bay. Port Royal is the early name of Annapolis in Nova Scotia (Acadia). 
By " River Wolf " is meant Riviere du Loup, a river in Kamouraska and Temiscouata 
counties, Que. Cap de la Magdelaine was the headland near Laprairie, in the vicin- 
ity of Montreal. Three Rivers is a town at the mouth of the River St. Maurice, above 
Quebec. Jesuit missions had been conducted at all these places, but many of them 
were for various reasons abandoned at the time when Hennepin wrote. In some cases, 
the Indians had removed to other places, or had been exterminated by pestilence, 
famine, or intemperance. The Acadian missions were transferred to the Capuchins, 
after the retrocession of Canada to France (1632). The Laprairie mission was trans- 
ferred (1676) to the present Caughnawaga, opposite Montreal. " The Hurons at the 
head of this River " is a vague and inaccurate phrase. The Huron missions were 
destroyed by the Iroquois in 1649-50 ; and the remnants of that people were scattered 
in various directions. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 547 



[128] CHAP. XXXI. 

Of the barbarous and uncivil Manners of the Savages. 

THE Savages have fmall regard to the Civilities of Europe: 
They make a Mockery of the Civilities we ufe one to 
another : When they come to a place, they feldom falute thofe 
that are there : They fit upon their Breech, and have no re- 
gard even to thofe that come to vifit them. They enter into 
the firft Cabin they meet with, without fpeaking a word : 
They take a Seat where they can, and after light their Pipe 
or Calumet: They fmoak without faying any thing, and even 
fo go away again. 

When they enter into a Houfe built and furnifhed after 
the European Mode, they take the chief place : If there be a 
Chair before the middle of the Fire, they feize upon it, and 
never rife up for any body, tho he were a Prince or a King. 
They look upon themfelves as the beft Men of the World. 

In the Northern Parts the Men and Women hide nothing 
but their Nakednefs ; all elfe is expofed to view. The Sav- 
ages of the South are quite naked, having not the leaft fenti- 
ment of Shame : They do the Neceflities of Nature before all 
the World, without the leaft fcruple, and without regard to 
any Man. They treat their Elders with great Incivility when 



54^ A Voyage into North America. 

they are out of Council. The common Difcourfe both of 
Men and Women is down-right Bawdy. 

But as to the Commerce which Men have with their 
Wives, for the moft part it's in private : But fometimes it's 
done with fo little Precaution, that they are often furprized. 
Bejfides, the Savages obferve [129] none of the Rules of that 
natural Honefty which is ufed among the Europeans of both 
Sexes. They never pradlife any Careffes or Endearments, 
which are common among the People of Europe ; all is done 
grofly, and with a great deal of Brutality. 

They never wafh their Platters made of Wood or Bark, 
nor their Spoons. When the Savage Women have cleaned 
their little Infants with their hands, they wipe them very 
fuperficially upon a piece of Bark, after which they will 
handle the Meat that they eat. This often turned my Stom- 
ach, that I could not eat with them when I was invited to 
their Cabins. They feldom or never wafh their Hands or 
Face. 

The Children fhew but fmall Refped to their Parents : 
Sometimes they will beat them without being chaftifed for 
it; for they think Corre6lion would intimidate them, and 
make them bad Souldiers. They eat fometimes fnuffling 
and blowing like Beafts. As foon as they enter into a Cabin, 
they fall a fmoaking. If they find a Pot covered, they make 
no difficulty to take oflF the Lid to fee what's in it. They 
eat in the Platter where their Dogs have eaten, without wiping 
it. When they eat fat Meat, they rub their Hands upon their 
Face and Hair to clean them : They are perpetually belching. 



A Voyage into North America. 549 

Thofe that have trucked Shirts with the Europeans, never 
wafh them ; they commonly let them rot on their backs : 
They feldom cut their Nails : They feldom wafh the Meat 
they drefs. Their Cabins in the North are commonly filthy. 
I was furprized one day to fee an old Woman bite the Hair 
of a Child, and eat the Lice. The Women are not afhamed 
to make water before all the World : but they had rather go 
a League in the Woods than any body fhould fee them go to 
ftool. When the Children have piffed their Coverlets, they 
caft away their [130] pifs with their hands. One may often 
fee them eat lying along like Dogs. In a word, they adl 
every thing brutally. 

For all that there are many things found among them 
honeft and civil. When any one enters into their Cabins 
when they are eating, they commonly prefent him with a 
plate-full of Meat, and they are extreamly pleafed when all is 
eaten that they give. They had rather faft two days without 
Victuals, than let you go without heartily prefenting you 
with part of all they have. If by chance the Portions be 
diftributed when one comes in, the Wife who makes the Dif- 
tribution orders the matter fo, that fhe gives [her] fhare to 
the New-comer. 

Some Savages prefented us the finefl Mats, and the beft 
place in the Cabin, when we paid them a Vifit. Thofe who 
frequent the Company of Europeans, falute us when they 
meet us. It's likewife the Cuftom of thefe People to return 
Prefent for Prefent. 

Altho they {hew fmall Refped to their old Men, yet they 



S50 A Voyage into North America. 

have a great Deference for their Counfels. They follow 
them exadlly, and confefs that they have more Experience, 
and know Affairs better than themfelves. If an antlent Man 
fhould fay to a young Man, by way of Reproach, before 
others, Thou haft no Wit^ he would prefently go and poifon 
himfelf, they are fo fenfible of Ignominy and Difgrace. In 
the Affemblies which are held for debating their Affairs, the 
young People dare not fay a word unlefs they be asked. 

In their Feafts they often give to the moft confiderable 
of the reft the whole Head of the Beaft which they have 
killed, or the beft portion of what is dreffed : They never 
eat on the fame Plate, unlefs it be in War, for then they 
obferve no meafures. They have a great Deference for the 
old Men, in that they leave them the whole Government 
[131] of Affairs, which is efteemed honourable among them. 

There are few that falute after the mode of Europe. 
I knew a Savage who was called Garagontie^ which is as 
much as to fay, the Sun that moves ; he one day made an 
Harangue before Monfieur the Count of Frontenac ; and 
every time he began a ntw Difcourfe, he took off his Cap, 
and made a Speech like an Orator. Another Captain of the 
Hojogoins [Cayugas] feeing his little Daughter which he had 
given to the Count de Frontenac to be inftruded, faid very 
civilly to him, Onnontio, (for fo they call the Governour of 
Canada, which word fignifies a beautiful Mountain) thou art 
the Mafter of this Girl ; order the bufinefs fo that fhe may 



^ Or Garakontie ; a converted Onondaga chief, who greatly aided the Jesuit mis- 
sionaries among his people. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 551 

learn to write and read well ; and when fhe grows great, 
either fend her home, or take her for a Wife. Which fhows 
you, that the Iroquois look upon themfelves as much as the 
greateft Perfons in the World. 

I knew another Iroqiies who was called Atreovati,^ which 
fignifies ^r^rt/ Throat: this Man eat as the Europeans do; 
he wafhed his Hands in a Bafon with the Governour ; he fat 
lafl: down at the Table, and opened his Napkin handfomly, 
and eat with his Fork ; and did all things after our mode : 
But often he did it out of Craft or Imitation, to get fome 
Prefent from the Governour. The Count de Frontenac was 
very complaifant with thefe Savages ; becaufe he knew that 
the Iroquois were the Enemies moft to be dreaded by the 
French, of all the People in the North America. 



^ Otrewa'ti, an Onondaga chief; called by the French Grande Gueule ("Big 
Throat"), a name afterward corrupted into Garanguia. — Ed. 



552 A Voyage into North America. 



[132] CHAP. XXXII. 

Of the great Indifferency of the Humours of the Savages. 

GENERALLY fpeaking, all the Savages of the Nations I 
have feen in the Northern America^ have an extream 
Indifference for all things : They have no particular Attache 
to any thing, and fet no great value upon the moft precious 
thing they have : They look upon every thing as very much 
below them ; and if they had a thoufand Crowns, or any 
thing of equal value, they would part with it without trouble, 
and give it all to have what they defire. But of all the 
Northern Nations there is none fo indifferent as the Iroquois: 
they look upon themfelves as Mafters of other People, and 
have often dared to declare War againft the French in Canada^ 
and would have conquered it if they had known their Forces. 
Notwithftanding, their Indifference for all things either of 
Peace or War, often induced them to make a counterfeit 
Peace with thofe of Canada. Befides, they are perfwaded, 
that unlefs one fend great Reinforcements thither, they can 
abfolutely deflroy them when they pleafe, and ruin the Com- 
merce. Let the Efforts be never fo great againft them, they 
can never extirpate them ; and it will never pay the Charges 
which will be neceffary to do it : There is nothing but blows 
to be got ; and it will be a difficult thing to defend ones felf 



A Voyage into North America. 553 

from their Treacheries : One can get but fmall Booties 
among them. 

Their Indifference is fuch, that there is nothing like it 
under the copes of Heaven : They have a great Complai- 
fance for all that is faid to them, and in appearance [133] 
do all ferioufly you entreat them to do. When we fay to 
them, Pray to God with us, they prefently do it, and anfwer 
word for word, according to the Prayers they have been 
taught in their Tongue. Kneel down, they kneel ; take off 
your Bonnet, they take it off; hold your tongue, they do it. 
If one fay to them, Hear me, they hearken diligently. If 
one give them fome Image, Crucifix, or Beads, they ufe them 
as Jewels to adorn themfelves with. When I faid to them. 
To morrow is Sunday^ or Prayer-day, they anfwered me, 
Niaora^ that's well, I am content. I faid to them fometimes, 
Promife the great Mafter of Life never to be drunk any 
more ; they anfwered, Netho^ I promife you I'll commit no 
more fuch Folly: but as foon as they got Aquavita \_i. e., 
brandy], or other ftrong Liquors, which they trucked with 
the French, Englifh, and Hollanders, for their Furs, they 
began afrefh to be drunk. 

When I asked them if they believed in the Great Mafter 
of Life, of Heaven and Earth ; they anfwered, Yes. Not- 
withftanding, the Savage Women which fome Miffioners had 
baptized, and who were married in the face of the Church 
with fome French Men of Canada, often left their Husbands, 
and took others, faying, they were not fubjedt to the Laws 
of the Chriftians, and that they did not marry but with a 



554 A Voyage into North America. 

defign to ftay with their Husbands as long as they agreed 
together: but if they did not agree well, they were at liberty 
to change. 

It's necelTary to civilize this Nation before they be made 
to embrace the Chriftian Faith. If they be not under the 
Yoak, it's in vain to labour their Converfion, unlefs God by 
a particular Grace fhould do fome Miracle in favour of this 
People. This is all I can fay upon this Subjed, founded 
upon the Experience I as well as many other Recolets have 
had of them. 



A Voyage into North America. 555 



[134] CHAP. XXXIII. 

Of the Beauty and Fertility of the Country of the Savages : That 
powerful Colonies may eafily be planted on the North and 
the South. 

BFORE I enter into the Particulars of thefe charming 
Countries which are in the North and the South of the 
Northern America^ I'll fpeak two words of the Countries of 
the North, to the end one may fee that It's eafy to eflabllOi 
there powerful Colonies. 

We muft confefs that there are vaft Forefts to be rid up, 
which reach from Canada to the Country of Louifiana, all 
along the River of Mefchafipi; fo that it would require a 
great deal of time to clear the Ground. But this is incident 
to all new Eftablifhments. 

Confiderable Advantages were formerly made, and are fo 
ftill, from the Fifhery, of which they dried one part, becaufe 
they fold them In the hot Countries ; in which Traffick were 
Imployed in the paft Age a thoufand or twelve hundred 
Veffels. The great Bank of Newfoundland, the adjacent 
Banks, the neighbouring Ifles, Cape Breton, the broken 
Ifland,^ and Acadia, have the moft FIfh In the World. I do 



^Probably he means Isle Percee (" the pierced island "), a small Island on the 
east coast of Gaspe ; it has even now the most extensive cod-fishery in Quebec 
province. — Ed. 



5S6 A Voyage into North America. 

not fpeak here of the Flfhery of the North, which France 
pretends a Right to, under the Title of the firft Poffeffors. 
Thefe Fifheries would be inexhauftible Mines for the King- 
dom, which could not be taken from it, if they were fup- 
ported by good Colonies. A great many Veffels might go 
every Year to fifh for the Porpofe, the Whale, and the Sea- 
wolf \i. e.^ Seal], which would furnifh us with an infinite quan- 
tity of Oil for [135] our Domeftick Manufadtures, of which 
a part might be tranfported into Foreign Countries. 

It's granted that the Traffick of Fifhing which is upon 
thefe Coafts of Canada^ gave birth to the firft Eftablifhments 
which were made in thofe Parts of America. There has not 
been time enough, nor Means to fearch the Country for 
Mines ; without doubt there are Mines of Tin, Lead, Copper 
and Iron in many places, which are left for the Difcovery of 
future Ages. The Country, by reafon of the vaft Forefts, 
will furnifh all forts of Wood neceffary to compleat the 
Mines. In many places is found a fort of bafliard Marble, 
and great Bands of Coal fit for the Forges ; there is alfo a 
fort of Plaifter which much refembles Alabafter. 

The further one advances into the Country, the more 
beautiful Forefts are found, full of gummy Trees, fit to make 
Pitch for Ships, as alfo infinite ftore of Trees fit for Mafts, 
of Pines, Firs, Cedars, Maples, fit for all forts of Work, 
efpecially for the building of Ships : Great Men of War 
might be built there, Mariners might always find imploy 
enough, and get fufficient to maintain their Families; they 
would become abler Sea-men by this Navigation and Com- 



A Voyage into North America. 557 

merce of the Weft, than of the Levant^ and their Experience 
would be greater. 

At the firft beginning of the Eftablifhment of the Colony 
in Canada^ the Community gain'd every Year a hundred 
thoufand Crowns, befides the Gains of private Perfons. In 
the Year 1687, this Sum was tripled and above, by the Furs 
which were fent to France : And tho the Merchants are forc'd 
to advance further into the Country than at firft, it's not- 
withftanding an inexhauftible Commerce, as we have obferved, 
by the great Difcoveries we have made. 

It muft be granted, that there are no Nations in Europe 
that have fuch an Inclination for Colonies as [136] the. Englijh 
and the Hollanders : The Genius of thofe People will not 
permit them to be idle at home. So the vaft Countries of 
America which I have defcribed, may be made the Soul of 
their Commerce. Private Perfons who fhall undertake it, 
without interefting their own Country, may bring it to a 
happy iffue : They may eafily contract Alliances with the 
Savages, and civilize them. The Colonies which they ftiall 
eftablifh there will quickly be well peopled, and they may 
fortify themfelves there at a very fmall Expence : They may 
content themfelves at firft with a moderate Gain, but in a 
fhort time it will be extreamly confiderable. 

There are in England and Holland a great many forts of 
Merchandizes and Manufadtures of all forts, which cannot 
be confumed upon the place, but in time here might be had 
a prodigious utterance of them. And from hence one may 
better learn to underftand, than hitherto we have done, the 



55^ ^ Voyage into North America. 

admirable Providence of God, whofe Will and Pleafure it 
was that every Country in the World fhould not be equally 
furniflied with all things, to the end Society and Commerce 
between different Nations might be eftablifhed, and the glad 
Tidings of the Gofpel be divulged to the ends of the 
World. 

It is fomething great and glorious to gain Battles, and 
fubdue rebellious Subje6ts ; but it's infinitely more glorious 
to gain Souls to Chrift: And I muft needs fay, that the prin- 
cipal aim I propofe in publifhing this great Difcovery, is to 
animate Chriftians to extend the Dominions of our Saviour, 
and to aggrandize his Empire. 

It's certain, to return to our Difcourfe of Trade and 
Commerce, that the Trade of Furs in the North is of infinite 
Profit and Advantage. There are to be had Skins of Elks 
or Orignaux^ as they are called in Canada, of Bears, Bevers, 
of the white Wolf or [137] Lynx, of black Foxes, which are 
wonderfully beautiful, which were fometimes valued at five 
or fix hundred Franks ; of common Foxes, Otters, Martens, 
wild Cats, wild Goats, Harts, Porcupines ; of Turkies, which 
are of an extraordinary bignefs, Bufl:ards, and an infinity of 
other Animals, whofe Names I know not. 

There may be catch'd, as I faid before. Sturgeons, Sal- 
mons, Piques [Pikes], Carps, large Breams, Eels, Sword-fifh, 
Gilt-heads, Barbels of an extraordinary bignefs, and other 



^ Orignal is a name (of Basque origin) given in Canada to the moose (often called 
also " Canadian elk "). — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 559 

forts of Fifli without number. There is infinite Gain for the 
Fowlers : There is an infinity of Sea-Larks, which are a lump 
of Fat : There are Partridges, Ducks of all forts, Huars, a 
kind of Dottrel, which imitates Mens Voices, which have an 
admirable diverfity of beautiful Colours, Turtles, Ring-doves, 
Cranes, Herons, Swans, Buftards, which have a relifli of all 
forts of Meat when you eat them, and a great abundance of 
all fuch like Game. 

The great River of St. Laurence^ which I have often men- 
tioned, runs through the middle of the Country of the Iro- 
ques, and makes a great Lake there which they call Ontario, 
viz. the beautiful Lake ; it's near lOO Leagues long, and a 
vaft number of Towns might be built upon it. Thefe places 
having Correfpondence with New Tork, judicious Perfons will 
eafily fee of what vaft Profit the Trade will be ; and here it's 
to be obferved, that the middle of this River is nearer New 
Tork than Quebec, the Capital City of Canada. 

The River of St. Laurence on the South^ has a Branch 
which comes from a Nation which is called Nez, or the Out- 
taouaets ; on the North are the Algonquins, where the French 
have taken poffeffion : Towards the Eaft dwells the Nation 
of Wolves [Mohicans] near New Holland or Tork: On the 
South of the fame River is fituated New England or Bojlon, 
where are many [138] trading Ships: On the South-weft is 

^This should be " North"; the reference is evidently to the Ottawa River, and 
the tribe of the same name. By " Nez," Hennepin apparently means the Amikoues, 
or Beaver tribe — known to the French as Nez Perces (" Pierced Noses"); they were 
located on the north side of Georgian Bay. — Ed. 



560 A Voyage into North America. 

Virginia^ which together with "N ew Holland was formerly 
called New Sweedland'^ : On the Eaft [if. West] is the Coun- 
try of the HuronSy fo called, becaufe they burn their Hair, 
and leave but a little Tuft upon their Head, which ftares like 
a wild Boar's Briftles. This Nation has been almoft deftroy'd 
by the Iroques, who have incorporated the Remainder among 
themfelves. I have added many other Countries towards 
the North of the River of St. Laurence in the general and 
particular Map, which I have publifhed in the firft Volume 
of our Difcovery. 

The great Bay called Hiidfon^s, is on the North of this 
River ; it was difcovered by the Sietir Defgrofeliers Roch- 
echouart,^ with whom I was often in a Canoo during my ftay 
in Canada. The Engli/h have given him a Penfion ; and Mr. 
Blathwait^ firft Secretary of War to JVilliam the Third King 
of England^ told me the laft Year, that Sieur Defgrofeliers was 
then living in England. 

This Hudfon^s-Bay is fituated on the North of New France, 
and of the River of St. Laurence; it has above four hundred 



^ Referring to the colony planted in 1638 by the Swedes, at the site of the present 
Wilmington, Del. — Ed. 

2 Medard Chouart, sieur des Groseilliers, came from France to Canada about 1641. 
His name is inseparably linked with that of Pierre Esprit Radisson, his brother-in- 
law, in the history of exploration in northern North America. During 1654-56 and 
1659-60 they traveled through the region of Lakes Michigan and Superior; and 
the period of 1668-83 was mainly devoted by them to exploration and traffic around 
Hudson Bay ; during a large part of this time they were in the English service, and 
one result of their discoveries was the formation in England of the Hudson's Bay Com- 
pany, 1670. Groseilliers went back to England in 1683, where, so far as is known, 
he spent the rest of his life. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 561 

Leagues Extent, and by Land it is not far from Quebec^ as it 
may be obferved in my Charts : Notwithftanding we count it 
eight hundred Leagues from Quebec by the River to the Sea. 
And the Navigation it felf has fomething of difficulty, be- 
caufe of the continual Fogs. 

While I was at Quebec, the Canadins told me that Sieur 
Defgrofeliers affured them he had great trouble to get thither 
by reafon of the Ice, which was feven or eight foot thick, 
which was driven from the Northward with whole Trees, and 
the Earth it felf together. Birds were feen which had there 
built their Nefts, fo that they looked like fo many little 
Iflands. I do not affirm that it's altogether juft as I fay : 
But the faid Sieur Defgrofeliers and others [139] have affured 
me, that they have paffed through Ice for two Leagues 
together, and that it's prodigioufly thick, one piece upon 
another, driven by the Winds higher than the Towers of 
great Cities. So that we are not to admire^ what Sea-men 
tell us, that upon thofe great Banks of Ice they have placed 
their Forges, and made Anchors. 

The Englifh have in Hudfon^s-B^y the Forts of Nelfon and 
Neufavane. The Court of France ordered heretofore the 
Traders in Canada to drive the Englijh hence ; but they had 
notice of it, and prevented the Canadins, by fending four 
great Ships to their affiflance. 

In the Countries to the North of the River of St. Laurence 
are found Mines of Iron and Steel, which would yield 40 or 

^ The word is here used in the literal sense of its etymology, " wonder at." — Ed. 
11-14 



S62 A Voyage into North America. 

50 "per Cent. There are Lead-Mines which would yield about 
yd -per Cent, and Copper which would yield 18 : And according 
to all appearance there might be found Mines of Silver and 
Gold. Miners were fent thither while I was there : but the 
French are too quick in their Enterprizes ; they would be 
rich too foon, and threw them up, becaufe they did not 
prefently find what they fought for. 

Mejfieurs Genins, the Father and the Son, who were fent 
thither to fee the Work go on, then told me. That fince the 
Company did not perform their Contradl, they had taken a 
Refolution to return home to Paris. That if the French who 
were in Canada had had as much Patience as other Nations, 
as Mr. Genin fen. told me at that time, they had without 
doubt gain'd their Point. 

In fhort, all the Countries upon the River of St. Laurence 
produce all forts of Herbage and Seeds. There are all forts 
of Materials, as Oak, and all other forts of Wood fit for 
building of Ships ; and the prodigious quantity of Firs furnifh 
Pitch in abundance. [140] Above all this, the Firs of which 
we have fpoke, and Afhes fit to make Potafhes of, which may 
yield more than a hundred and fifty thoufand Livers a Year, 
and which alone are fufficient to fubfift a great number of 
poor People ; all thefe things, I fay, are capable of producing 
a confiderable Profit for the fubfiftence of the Colonies which 
may be eftablifhed there. 

That which is moft remarkable is, that thofe who are 
Mafters of thofe Countries may keep in awe above a thou- 
fand Veffels which go every Year to fifh, and who bring back 



A Voyage into North America. 563 

Whale-Oil, and a great quantity of Salmon, and Poor-Jack,^ 
enough to furnifh whole Kingdoms. All thofe Ships muft of 
neceffity come to the Pierced IJland^^ where our Recolets have 
a little Miffion Houfe near the Fifhers Huts, becaufe there is 
no other convenience in thofe Countries. There is no For- 
trefs at the entrance of the River, at leaft I faw none. An 
Eftablifhment in this place without doubt would gain the 
Trade, and make it very advantagious in cafe a good Colony 
were fettled there, which were very eafy. 

In the Defcription which we have publifhed of Louifiana, 
and the Countries of the South, which may truly be called 
the Paradife of America, we have made mention of all the 
Animals, of which we have fpoke here above ; but befides 
them, there are a great quantity of Bulls and wild Cows, 
which have a frifled Wool ; they may be tamed and made fit 
for labour: befides they would ferve for Food, and might be 
fhorn every Year like Sheep, and as good Cloth made of 
them as any in Europe. The Savages that dwell in thofe 
Countries were never able to deftroy thefe Beafts, becaufe 
they change their Country according to the feafons. 

There are many Medicinal Herbs which are not in Europe, 
whofe Effedls are infallible, according to [141] the Experience 
of the Savages : They cure with them all forts of Wounds, 
the Tertian and Quartan Agues ; fome of them purge well, 
and allay the Pains in the Reins, and fuch like Maladies. 



1 A popular term for the hake {Merluccius 'vulgaris), a sea-fish of the cod family, 
but coarser and poorer : it was formerly proverbial as a cheap sort of food. — Ed. 

2 Isle Percee ; see page 555, note i, ante. — Ed. 



564 A Voyage into North America. 

There are likewife great quantities of Poifons, as the Rind 
of the wild Gourd, and others which they make ufe of to 
deftroy their Enemies. Serpents are common in fome Parts, 
particularly Adders, Afpicks, and Rattle-fnakes ; they are of 
a prodigious length and bignefs, and bite dangeroufly poor 
Paffengers : But they have Sovereign Remedies againft their 
biting. There are in thefe Countries Frogs of a ftupendous 
bignefs, their croaking is as loud as the lowing of Cows. 

There are here all forts of European Trees, and many of 
different fpecies from ours, as I have already mentioned : 
Thofe are, for Example, the Cotton Tree,^ and many others. 
Thefe Trees take deep rooting, and become very tall, which 
fhews the goodnefs of the Soil. But the greateft advantage 
that may be drawn from our Difcovery between the frozen 
Sea and New Mexico confifts in this, as I have faid, that by 
the means of thefe Countries of the South, a Paffage may be 
found to China and Japan^ without being obliged to pafs 
the Equino6lial Line. 



^ Platanus occidentalis, or American sycamore. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 565 



[142] CHAP. XXXIV. 

Of the Methods of the Savages in their Councils. Their crafty 
Policies againfi their Enemies^ and their Cruelty againfl the 
Europeans ; and how a flop may he put to them. 

IT often happens that the Savages exercife great Cruelties 
againft the Europeans, when they pretend to have been 
infulted. Thefe Barbarians make Proclamation of War by 
three or four old Men in all their Villages : They do it with 
fo loud a Voice, and fo dreadful a Tone, that all that are in 
their Cabins, as well Men as Women, tremble for fear. 

Prefently all the antient Men, and all thofe who are to 
(hare in their Counfels, meet at one of their great Cabins, 
where the Chief of their Nation dwells : There one of their 
Chiefs fpeaks to them always in this manner ; My Brethren, 
and my Nephews, one of fuch a Nation has killed one of our 
People. For tho they have but a fmall occafion of Difcon- 
tent, they always give out they are killed : We muft then, fays 
the Chief, make War upon them, extirpate them, and revenge 
the Evil they have done. If all thofe that aflift at the Coun- 
cil anfwer one after another, Netho, or Togenske ; and if they 
fmoak in the Calumet, or Pipe of War, whilft a little Savage 
takes care from time to time to ram it with Tobacco ; this 
is taken for an unanimous Confent of the Nation, and their 



S66 A Voyage into North America. 

Allies. Then one may fee from time to time Troops of 
Souldiers marching to furprife their Enemies, tho they be 
often very innocent, and 'tis wholly upon the falfe fuggeftion 
of fome ill-minded Savage. 

[143] One day the Iroques pretending an Injury done by 
a French-man of Canada, they would not attack the whole 
Nation, but contented themfelves to difcharge their Fury 
upon two of them, whom they killed with Hatchets ; after 
they tied their Bodies to great Stones, and caft them into 
the River to conceal this black A(5lion ; and there had never 
been any thing known of it, if after fome time the Ropes 
had not broke, and the River brought their Bodies to the 
Bank. 

The Savages perceiving that they were fufpedled, becaufe 
they were forbidden to come near the Fort and the Houfes 
of the Inhabitants, began to fear left the Canadins fhould 
revenge this barbarous Adion : To prevent the Effects of 
it, they went up to the three Rivers, and held a Council of 
about eight hundred Men : The Refult of their Affembly 
was, that they fhould endeavour to furprize and cut the 
Throats of all the People in Quebec, the Capital City of 
Canada, at that time but poorly inhabited. 

It's hard to keep Secrecy in a Council of fo many Men 
at once, who without doubt were not all of one fentiment : 
Providence therefore, that watched for the Confervation of 
this little growing Colony, permitted that one of the Savages, 
called Foriere, whom fome of our Order of St. Francis had 
inftruded at the three Rivers two years together, who had a 



A Voyage into North America. 567 

great kindnefs for them, gave Advice to one of our Friars, 
called Friar Pacificiis^ who prefently gave notice to the Gov- 
ernment. This obliged them to intrench themfelves in a lit- 
tle wooden Fort, fortified with Stakes, and ill-ordered Pali- 
fadoes. This Savage was highly rewarded, and more was 
promifed him, to oblige him not only to difcover their fur- 
ther Defigns, but alfo to endeavour to divert them from 
their Enterprize againft the Canadins. 

This Savage acquitted himfelf very well of his [144] Com- 
mifTion : He manag'd this Affair fo happily, that he not only 
made them to quit their former Defign, but fully perfwaded 
them to reconcile themfelves with the French, and to obtain 
Provifions, of which they ftood much in need at that time. 
The Savages fent to this end forty Canoos with Women to 
fetch in Provifions. The Canadins furnifhed them with as 
much as the time would permit. 

The French received with a great deal of Joy the Propo- 
fitions of Peace, which were made them in full Council by 
the Savage Foriere on the part of the Iroques, whom he had 
appeafed. They were told that the Chiefs and Captains of 
the Nation fhould give up the Murderers to the Canadins to 
difpofe of them as they thought good : To this effe6t their 
Antients fhould have Orders to come to Quebec to treat on 
this Affair. 

The Propofition which Foriere made to the Savages on 
this Subjed, at firft frighted them ; but afterwards refleding 
upon the Weaknefs, and the fweet Temper of the French in 



^The Recoilet brother Paclficus du Plessis ; he died at Quebec in 1619. — Ed. 



S68 A Voyage into North America. 

Canada^ and relying upon the Credit of Father Jofeph Caron 
a Recolet,^ whom they efteemed their Friend, they perfwaded 
one of the two who was the lefs guilty, to go down with them 
to Quebec. In the mean time the Iroques ordered their little 
Army to make a halt half a League from the French Fort, 
to expedl \_i. e., await] the Succefs of the Negotiation. 

The Iroques prefented their Criminals to the Canadins, 
with a quantity of Bever Robes, which they gave to wipe 
away their Tears, according to their Cuftom. In effed: they 
made up the Bufmefs by their Prefents : It's thus they com- 
monly appeafe the Anger of thofe they have provoked, and 
engage their Allies, make Peace, deliver Prifoners, and as I 
may fay, raife the Dead: In fhort, there's neither Propofal 
nor Anfwer, but by Prefents, [145] which ferve inftead of 
Words in their Harangues. 

The Prefents which the Savages make for a Man who 
has been murdered, are many ; but commonly it's not he that 
committed the Murder that offers them ; but the Cuftom is 
that it be done by his Parents, Townfhip, or fometimes by 
the whole Nation, according to the Quality of him who was 
killed. If the Murderer be met with by the Parents of the 
Defundl, before he has made fatisfadion, he's put to Death 
immediately. According to this Cuftom, before Foriere, the 
Antients and Captains of the Savages began to fpeak, who 
made a Prefent of twelve Elk Skins to fweeten the Canadins. 



^Joseph le Caron was one of the first party of Recollet missionaries sent to Canada 
(1615), and was superior of the mission from 1617 to 1629, when the English sent all 
its workers back to France. Le Caron died in 1632. — Ed. 



j4 Voyage into North America. 569 

After they had treated, they made a fecond Prefent, and 
laid it at the Feet of the Canadins, faying, It was to cleanfe 
the bloody Part of the Place where the Murder was com- 
mitted, protefting they had no knowledg of this Affair till 
it was done ; and that all the Chiefs of the Nation had 
condemned the Attempt. The third was to ftrengthen the 
Arms of thofe who had found the Bodies on the Bank of 
the River, and who had carried them into the Woods : They 
gave them alfo two Robes of Bever, to repofe upon, and 
refrefh themfelves after the Labour they had fuffered in 
burying them. The fourth was to wafh and cleanfe thofe 
who were polluted with the Murder, and to obtain the Spirit 
again which they had loft, when they gave the unfortunate 
Stroke. The fifth to efface all the Refentments the Canadins 
might have. The fixth was to make an inviolable Peace with 
the French ; adding, that for the future they would caft away 
their Hatchets, fo far that they fhould never be found ; which 
was as much as to fay, that their Nation being in perfedt 
Peace with the Europeans, they would have no ufe of any 
Arms, only for Hunting. The feventh was to evidence the 
Defire they had that the Canadins would have their [146] 
Ears pierced ; which is to fay in their Language, that they 
would be open to the Sweetnefs of Peace, to pardon the two 
Murderers the Fault they had committed. 

They offered a Quantity of Chains of Sea-Purple-Shells, 
to light a Fire of Counfel (as they phrafed it) at the three 
Rivers, where the Iroques then were, and another at Quebec. 
They added another Prefent of two thoufand Grains of black 



570 ^ Voyage into North America. 

and blue Purple, to ferve in Wood and Fewel for thefe two 
Fires. 

Here the Reader is to obferve, that the Savages feldom 
have any Affemblies, but they have their Pipe in their Mouth; 
Fire being neceffary to light their Pipes, they always have it 
ready in their Confults : fo that it's the fame thing among 
them to light a Fire of Counfel, as to affemble to confult. 
The eighth Prefent was to defire a Union of their Nation 
with the Canad'ins ; and then they offered a great Chain of 
Sea Purple, with ten Robes of Bever and Elk; to confirm 
all they had faid. 

Whatfoever purpofe was made at Quebec to punifh the 
Murderers, to prevent the like Mifchiefs for the future, they 
were obliged to defift from it, and pardon the Murderers; 
becaufe they were not in a condition to refift fuch a powerful 
Enemy: fo all was concluded, and two Hoftages were de- 
manded of the Savages for the performance of their Promifes. 
They put into Father Jojeph' s Hands two young Iroques 
Boys, called Nigamon and Tebachi, to be inftruded. In con- 
clufion, the guilty Perfons were fent back notwithftanding, 
upon condition that at the arrival of the Ships which were 
expedled from Europe, this Affair fhould have its final De- 
cifion.^ 

I remember when I was in Canada, I heard the French 
often murmur that this Affair was managed thus, and that 
the Murderers fhould avoid the Stroke of Juftice. After 



1 This is only another version of the account given by Le Clercq in Etablissement 
de la Foy ; see Shea's translation, i, pp. 121-127, — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 571 

this the Iroqiies committed a great [147] many fuch like 
Enormities, faying they fhould be quit for a few Skins of 
wild Beafts, inftead of thofe of the Canadins^ whom they 
would flea ofiF alive; and that thofe of their Nation would 
not fuflPer fuch like Adlions without a futable Revenge, tho 
the whole Nation of the Iroqiies fhould perifh to a Man. 

In effedl thefe Barbarians grew every day more infolent 
upon it, and defpifed the Canadins, as People of no Courage ; 
fo that whatfoever Face they put upon the Matter in their 
Treaty, it was only done out of Policy to advantage them- 
felves by their Commerce of Furs for the Merchandifes of 
Europe. 

We fee at this day, that the War which the Iroqiies have 
at prefent with the French in Canada^ furnifhes us with con- 
tinual Examples of their Cruelty. The Europeans ought to 
take away their Fire-Arms, to reduce them, and to make 
them refide in one Place, and to live after the mode of 
Europe: This would be the means to convert them to Chrif- 
tianity. The Spaniards took this Method with the Mexi- 
cans, who dare not carry Fire-Arms, it being punifhed with 
Death ; neverthelefs they are not the worfe ufed, and the 
Mexicans are as good Catholicks as any in the World and 
carry the eafiefl Yoak of any Subjedls in the Univerfe. 

Our firft Recollets in the iirfl: Colony of Canada^ faw a 
neceffity of overthrowing the Council of the Iroques, which 
are the moft redoubted Enemies of the Europeans : They 
obferved that all the Peaces which thefe Savages made, were 
only Feints to cover the Breaches of former Treaties. Our 



572 A Voyage into North America. 

Fathers often reprefented this to the Court of France^ that 
to convert thefe Barbarians, and to hinder them from taking 
Meafures prejudicial to the Colony of Canada^ it was necef- 
fary to found a Seminary of fifty or fixty young Iroques for 
feven or eight years only; after [148] which they might be 
maintained of the Revenue of the Ground, which might be 
cultivated during that time. That thofe Children offered 
themfelves every day to our Religious by confent of their 
Parents, to be inftru6led and brought up in the Chriftian 
Religion. That the Iroques and other Savages, feeing their 
Children educated in this manner, would form no more 
Enterprizes againft the Colony, as long as their Children 
were in the Seminary, as Guarantees of the Fidelity of their 
Parents. 



A Voyage into North America. 573 



CHAP. XXXV. 

Of the proper Methods to ejtahlifh good Colonies. The Thoughts 
and Opinions of the Savages touching Heaven and Earth. 

THE Religious of our Order of St. Francis can poffefs 
nothing in Property, neither can they according to their 
Inftitute, buy or poffefs any Revenues. There is no Order 
fo fit as ours to fupport the Colonies that are eftablifhed by 
the Catholicks in America: The Truth of what I fay is feen 
by thofe which the Emperor Charles the fifth fent into new 
Mexico; where are to be feen this day an Infinity of great 
Families, that have made great Advantages of the Difinter- 
eftednefs of our Religious ; the beft Lands have not been 
fwallowed up, as we fee in Canada^ where we fee the richeft 
and mofb fertile Places in the hands of fome Communities, 
who have laid hold of them during the abfence of the Recol- 
le6ls ; who notwithftanding are the firft Miflioners of Canada^ 
having near fourfcore Years ago attempted the planting of 
the Gofpel there. 

The People of New France having earneftly defired our 
Return, after a long forced abfence, we [149] found that the 
beft Lands of our Eftablifhment of the Convent of our Lady 



574 ^ Voyage into North America. 

of Angels,^ were feized upon ; where I have often renewed 
and marked the Bounds which remained, to prevent the 
Defigns of thofe who would feize upon the Remainder : But 
my Defign is not to tax or offend any body; tho I pubHfh 
thofe things that may difpleafe fome, I fhall fpeak nothing 
but Truth. 

I fhall not fpeak here of the great Advantages which 
have accrued to the four Parts of the World by the Miffions 
of our Recollets, it would require large Volumes ; I fhall only 
relate here the Labours of our Religious in this Age, and 
the great Difcoveries made by us in America. When the 
French Colony of Canada was eftablifhed, our Recollets 
asked nothing of the Government, but a dozen Men fit for 
Husbandry-Affairs ; which were to be commanded by a 
fecular Mafter of a Family, for the Subfiftence of fifty or 
fixty young Savage Children, whilft our Religious extended 
themfelves on all fides in the Mifiion to draw others to Chrif- 
tianity. Thefe Religious expofe their Lives, and fubjedt 
themfelves to all forts of Trouble and Fatigue, in order to 
plant the Gofpel all over the World. 

Our Religious long ago advifed that Chriflian Religion, 
and the Authority of Juflice, fhould be fupported by a good 
Garifon, eftablifhed in fome convenient Place in the Northern 



^The convent of Notre-Dame des Anges was built by the Recollets on the St. 
Charles River, about half a (French) league from the fort of Quebec. After the 
return of the French to Canada (1632) , the house and lands of the Recollets were used 
by the Jesuits, as the former order was not then allowed to resume its Canadian mis- 
sions. Permission was finally granted, however, in 1670; and the Recollet missionaries 
then sent over again occupied their former possessions. A few years later. Count 
Frontenac, who was their firm friend, built for them a house at his own expense. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 575 

America^ which might keep in fubjedlion more than eight hun- 
dred Leagues of Country all along the River of St. Lawrence : 
There is no way to approach thither, but by the Mouth of 
this great River. This would be the true means to make 
Trade flourifh: The Power of the Prince would be aug- 
mented, and his Dominions far extended by the Poffeflion 
of this great River. 

There might be joined to this many great Countries 
which might be feized upon in this vaft Continent [150] upon 
the River Mefchafipi, which is far more convenient than the 
River of St. Lawrence to eftabhfh Colonies in : for here may 
be had two Harvefts a year, and in fome places three, befides 
a great many other advantages. To which may be added, 
that by this means a great many Countries would become 
tributary, and might be joined to thefe new Colonies. To 
this I would heartily contribute, being ready to facrifice the 
remainder of my Days to fuch a good work. 

Firft^ To bring to a happy conclufion fo noble an Enter- 
prize, it's neceffary that the Princes or States, which would 
make ufe of our Difcoveries, fhould very exadtly adminifter 
Juftice. The beginnings of all Colonies are difficult. It's 
neceffary therefore to prevent Thefts, Murders, Debaucheries, 
Blafphemies, and all other forts of Crimes, which are too 
common with the Europeans that inhabit America. 

Secondly, A Fort ought to be built at the mouth of the 
River of St. Laurence, and above all at the mouth of Mef 
chafipi, which are the only places v/here Ships can come. 
Then the Inhabitants might extend themfelves, and clear the 



57^ A Voyage into North America. 

Ground twenty, or twenty five Leagues round about. They 
might have feveral Harvefts in the Year, and might employ 
themfelves in taming wild Bulls, which might be made ufe 
of feveral ways : befides, advantage muft be drawn from 
Mines and Sugar-Canes, which are here far more frequent 
than in the Ifles of America^ the Ground being richer and 
fitter for Canes ; among which may be fown great quantities 
of feveral forts of Grain, which never come to maturity in 
thofe Iflands. The Climate of the Countries which are be- 
twixt the frozen Sea and the Gulph of Mexico^ is far more 
temperate along the River Mejchafipi than in the Ifles above 
mention'd. The Air is of the fame Temperature as in Spain, 
Italy, and Provence. The Men and Women go always [151] 
with their Heads bare, and are taller than the Europeans. 

As to the Sentiments thefe Barbarians have of Heaven 
and Earth ; when they are asked, Who is he that made them? 
fome of their more antient and abler Men anfwer. That as to 
the Heavens they know not who made them. If you have 
been there, fay they, you muft know fomething of the matter: 
it's a foolifh Queftion, fay they, to ask what we think of a 
place fo high above our Heads ; how would you have us 
to fpeak of a place that never none faw? 

But, fay they, can you fhew by the Scripture of which 
you fpeak, a Man that ever came from thence, and the man- 
ner how he mounted up thither ? When we anfwer, that our 
Souls being unfettered from the Body, are of infinite agility, 
and that in the twinkling of an Eye they mount up thither 
to receive the recompence of their Works from the hand of 



A Voyage into North America. ^Tj 

the Mafter of Life ; thefe People, who have a great indiffer- 
ence for whatfoever is faid to them, and are cunning enough 
in feeming to approve in outward appearance, whatfoever is 
thought convenient to propofe to them; being harder preffed, 
they anfwer. It's well for thofe of your Country ; but we 
Americans do not go to Heaven after Death : We only go 
to the Country of Souls, whither our People go to hunt fat 
Beafts, where they live in greater Tranquillity than here. All 
that you fay is good for thofe that dwell beyond the great 
Lake ; for fo they call the Sea. They further fay, that as to 
themfelves they are made in another manner than the People 
of Europe : So that their Converfion does folely depend upon 
the good will and pleafure of God, who muft water our 
planting. 

As to the Sentiments of the Savages relating to the Earth, 
they make ufe of a certain Genius which they call M'lcahoche^ 
who covered all the Earth with Water, [152] which feems to 
retain fome Tradition of the Deluge. Thefe Savages believe 
that there are between Heaven and Earth, certain Spirits in 
the Air, which have power to predi6t future things ; and 
others that are excellent Phyficians, for the cure of all forts 
of Maladies. This makes them very fuperftitious, and to 
confult the Oracles with great exadlnefs. 

One of thefe Mafler-Juglers, who paffed for a Wizard and 
Conjurer among them, made a Cabin be eredled with ten 
great Stakes well fix'd in the Ground. He made a dreadful 



^A poor phonetization of Missibizi, or Manabozho, the name of an Algonkin 
divinity (see p. 451, note i, ante). — Ed. 
n-15 



57^ A Voyage into North America. 

Nolfe about confulting the Spirits, to know if there would 
quickly fall abundance of Snow, for the better hunting of 
Elks and Bevers. This famous Jugler cried out all on a 
fudden, that he faw great ftore of Elks which were at a 
diftance, but that they were coming within feven or eight 
Leagues of their Cabins. This made thefe poor People 
rejoice exceedingly. 

It's to be obferv'd that when the Jugler, or pretended 
Prophet, miffes the mark, they have no lefs efteem for him; 
it's fufficient that he hath gueffed right three or four times, 
to gain him a lafting Reputation. I told them that the great 
Mafter of Heaven, who governs all things, ought only to be 
addreffed in our Petitions and Neceffities. They anfwered 
me that they knew him not, and that they would be glad to 
know whether he could fend them Elks and Bevers ; fo blind 
are thefe People. I told them once that we Europeans knew 
how all things were made, and by whom. They told me that 
if I would go and live with them, they would fend their Chil- 
dren to be inftruded. Thefe Sentiments of the Savages let 
us fee, that the greateft good that can be done among them, 
is to baptize their dying Infants. 

The MiiTions of the Northern America are far different 
from others. There is nothing to be found agreeable to 
Nature, nothing but what contradidls the [153] inchnation 
of the Senfes : One muft fubmit to infinite Fatigues, and 
barren and ingrateful Labour. Notwithftanding thofe who 
apply themfelves with zeal, confefs they find a fecret Charm 



A Voyage into North America. 579 

which inclines them to this work ; fo that if any Neceffity 
diverts them from it, they are much perplexed. 

This feems to me to be a good Prefage for the Miffions 
of thefe Countries, and that God Almighty will not fuffer 
them always to remain in the Shadows of Death ; fince by 
his Grace he makes the MifHoners find fo much pleafure in 
thofe Labours, fo contrary to Flefh and Blood. 

Patience is abfolutely neceffary for this Employ. All 
along our Travels in America we din'd upon the Ground, or 
upon fome Mat of Bulrufhes when we were in the Cabins of 
fome Savage. A Fagot of Cedar was our Pillow in the 
Night ; our Cloaks our Coverlets ; our Knees our Table ; 
fome Buflies tied together, our Seats ; the Leaves of Indian 
Corn, our Napkins. We had fome Knives, but they were 
of no ufe to us for want of Bread to cut. Except in the 
time of the great Hunting, and certain Seafons of the Year, 
Flefh-meat was fo fcarce that we were oft fix Weeks, or two 
Months, without eating any, unlefs it were a morfel of a wild 
Dog, or fome piece of a Bear, or Fox, which the Savages 
gave us at their Feafts. 

Our common Food v/as the fame with the Savages, viz. 
Sagamite, or Pottage made of Water and Indian Corn with 
Gourds: To give it a Relifh, we put into it Marjoram, and 
a fort of Balm, with wild Onions which we found in the 
Woods and Fields. Our ordinary Drink was Water. If any 
of us was indifpofed, while the Sap was up in the Trees, we 
made a hole in the Bark of a Maple, and there dropt out a 



580 A Voyage into North America. 

fweet Sugar-like Juice, which we faved in a Platter made of 
the Bark of a Birch-tree; we drank it as a Sovereign [154] 
Remedy, tho it had but fmall effeds. There are in the 
Vallies of thofe Forefts great ftore of Maples, from whence 
may be drawn diftill'd Waters. After a long boiling, we 
made of it a kind of reddifh Sugar, much better than that 
which is drawn from the ordinary Canes in the Ifles of 
America. 

Our Spanifh Wine failing us, we made more of wild 
Grapes which were very good ; we put it into a little Barrel, 
in which our Wine was kept that we brought with us, and 
fome Bottles. A Wooden-Mortar and an Altar-Towel was 
our Prefs. The Fat [Vat] was a Bucket of Bark. Our 
Candle was Chips of the Bark of Birch-tree, which lafted a 
fmall while. We were forced to read and write by the light 
of the Fire in Winter, which was very inconvenient. 

While we were at the Fort of Frontenac, about fixfcore 
Leagues from Quebec towards the South, we made up a little 
Garden, and paled it in to keep out the Savage Children: 
Peas, Herbs, and whatfoever Pulfe we fowed there, grew ex- 
tremely well. We had had great ftore, if we had had proper 
Tools to work with at the beginning of the eftablifhment of 
that Fort, which was but then fortified with great Stakes : 
We made ufe of fharp-pointed Sticks, becaufe we had no 
other Husbandry-Tools. All our Confolation was, in the 
midft of thefe Fatigues, to fee the Gofpel of Chrift advanced. 

The Savages feem'd to have fome Inclination ; they were 
attentive and diligent in coming to their Prayers, tho they 



A Voyage into North America. s^i 

had none of that opennefs of Spirit which is neceffary to 
enter into the Verities of Religion. They came to feek In- 
ftrujflion with a Spirit of Intereft, to have our Knives, Awls, 
and fuch like things. 

I owe the following Thoughts to an excellent Religious 
Man of our Order, whom I fhall name in my third Volume, 
if it pleafe God I perfedl my Defign. 

[155] I make a great deal of difference between the Zeal, 
the Labours of true Miflioners, and the pretended Succeffes 
which have been fo often bragg'd of, without any probability 
of Truth. The Juftice we are obliged to pay to the painful 
Fatigues of Apoftolical Men in New-France^ is that they can- 
not be expreffed : They equal the Enterprizes, Courage, and 
Sufferings of St. Paul^ who was expofed to great Dangers, 
to Famine, Thirft, ^c. Their Silence it felf was great and 
laudable among the Calumnies of their Enemies. But the 
Condu6t of the Miflioners in the Chriftian World is juftified 
by it felf, and puts them above fuch-like Reproaches, as well 
in regard of Canada^ as any place elfe. 

Formerly it employed all my Thoughts, as well as thofe 
of other Miflioners among the Iroquois^ to civilize thefe Sav- 
ages, to make them capable of Laws and Civil Policy, and 
to put a ftop to their brutal Sallies as much as poflible. I 
have done my utmoft to difabufe them, and fhew them the 
folly of their vain Superftitions ; and fo I prepared the way 
of our Lord to the utmoft of my power. But it mufl: be 
confeffed the Harveft was Httle ; thofe People are as Savage 
as ever, always fixed to their antient Maxims, to their profane 



582 A Voyage into North America. 

Cuftoms, to Pride, Drunkennefs, Cruelty, being even unca- 
pable of Inftru(5lion and Obedience. They are the fame they 
were thirty or forty years ago. Since the French of Canada 
made a Peace with them, and that the Jefuits became their 
MifTioners, altho they had built as many Churches and 
Chappels as they had deftroyed, thefe Iroquois^ who may 
juftly be called the unconquerable Phtliftines^ have made no 
progrefs in Faith : To fpeak truth, we fee the quite contrary 
at this day. Thefe Barbarians maintain a cruel War with 
the French. I muft confefs it's hard for me to conceive that 
Chriftians fhould have a War with fuch brutal People, [156] 
whom I had managed with all the dexterity I could, during 
the fix or feven Years I was among them ; fometimes by 
Embaffies, which I was charged with ; fometimes by the 
Infi:ru6lions I gave them for Reading and Writing, and for 
Religion it felf. We continued this warlike Nation in Peace 
as much as poffible. 

The Iroquois, who call the Religious of our Order Chi- 
tagon, that is to fay, naked Feet, have often regretted our 
Abfence about the Lake Ontario, or Frontenac, where they 
had a Miflion-houfe. I have often heard fay, that when a 
Prieft of St. Sulpitius, cL Jefuit, or any other Ecclefiaftick of 
Canada, asked them how it happen'd that they gave them 
no fhare of their Game, as they were wont to give the naked 
Feet? They anfwered, that our Recolets liv'd in common as 
they did, and that they took no Recompence of all the 
Prefents that they made them : That they neither took Furs, 
of which all the Europeans are fo greedy, nor any other 



A Voyage into North America. 583 

Recompence, for all that our Religious did for them. This 
fhews, that one muft begin by the Animal part with thofe 
People, and after proceed to the Spiritual. And that if, as 
in the Primitive Church, the Chriilians of this Age were of 
one Heart, and one Soul, and wholly difinterefted, without 
doubt this Nation would be eafier converted. 

It's true, that while I was a Miffioner at Fort Frontenac, 
among the Iroquois^ and that the Jefuits were fcattered here 
and there in their Country, thefe Religious ferved to other 
purpofes than my felf: For as thofe Barbarians are wholly 
led by Senfe, they then looked upon the Jefuit Miffioners as 
Captains, and Men of confiderable Quality, as Envoys, and 
perpetual Refidents of the French Colony of Canada, who 
maintained the Alliance which was among them, who difpofed 
of Peace and War, who ferved for Hoftages when they went 
to trade in the inhabited [157] parts of Canada; otherwife 
thefe Barbarians would have had perpetual Diffidences, and 
would have been afraid of being detained for want of Hof- 
tages, and of this Security for their Lives and Goods. 

It's obferved, that the Miffioners of whom I fpeak, 
undertake the Tutelage of the Savages, of which they acquit 
themfelves very well. They draw thefe Barbarians into their 
Refidences, and exercife them in clearing the Ground of their 
Settlements, which contributes much to the Advantage of the 
Colony, and the Church it felf. To their Reputation and 
Zeal muft be attributed many confiderable Foundations for 
this Miffion, which they have obtained from many powerful 
and zealous Perfons, whofe Liberality they manage as well as 



584 A Voyage into North America. 

the annual Gratifications of the King for the fame purpofe.^ 
Befides, thefe Miffions are the places where true Saints 
are formed, by the Labours of an indefatigable Zeal, a fer- 
vent Charity, accompanied with Patience and Humility, and 
by a great Difintereftednefs ; by an extraordinary Sweetnefs, 
and by a lively and pure Faith : but it's a kind of an Apollle- 
fhip different from that of other Nations. 

But to fpeak here one word of the Progrefs of thefe 
Miffions. Is it pofTible that this pretended prodigious num- 
ber of converted Savages fhould efcape the Knowledg of a 
croud of French Canadins, who go abroad every Year from 
home at leaft three or four hundred Leagues, to the utmoft 
Borders of the difcovered Countries, to trade, where fome of 
them fojourn whole Years for to barter their Commodities? 
How happen'd it that thefe devout Churches difappeared 
when I travelled through the middle of the Countries? 
How comes it to pafs, that fo many Men of Senfe fhould 
not difcern them ? 

Befides, it's well known that the Savages come every Year 
in great Troops into Canada with their [158] Canoos loaden 
with Furs. There is to be feen a Concourfe of all forts of 



^The Jesuit missions in Canada were granted, from the year 1647, an annual 
pension of 5,000 livres ; from 1684, they were exempted from payment of tithes ; an 
instructor was long maintained by the King at the college of Quebec ; and other gifts 
and allowances were, at various times, granted them by the government. Besides 
these, they possessed large and valuable landed estates, given by the King or by private 
persons. When Canada was conquered by the English (1760), the property of the 
Jesuits was appropriated by the English government, which held it for more than 
a century ; finally (1871), ceding the Jesuit estates to the Provincial government of 
Quebec. For further details, and citations of authorities, see Jes. Relations, ixxi, 
pp. 392, 393.^ — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 585 

Savages, who are as it were the feled; People of all thofe 
different Nations. All the Country are Witneffes, that in 
their Manners and Doings nothing appears but Barbarity, 
without any fign or mark of Religion. All the Proof they 
can give, is, that like Idols they afTift at our Myfteries and 
Inftruftions : for the reft we may fee them indifferent, without 
difcovering any Faith or Spirit of Religion. It may be called 
rather an effed of their Curiofity : Some of them come upon 
the account of Intereft, others upon a Motive of Fear, or 
fome particular Efiieem they have for the Perfon of fome 
Miffioner, whom they often regard as a confiderable Chief. 

All therefore that can be done, is to draw out of the 
Woods fome Families which fhew the moft Docility, and to 
difpofe them to fettle in fome inhabited Place. There are 
two Villages in the Neighbourhood of Quebec^ and two other 
higher up upon the River of St. Lawrence^ near Mont-royal^ 
which are feparated from the Commerce of the Europeans. 
It's therefore in thofe Parts that the Church of the Savages 
is to be found. Tho their Language as well as Manners 
are altogether favage, yet for all that thofe Neophytes are kept 
in their Devoir. Great pains is taken to educate them in 
Piety, yet not much is gain'd upon their Spirit. There are 
fome that are Chriftians in good earneft ; but there are many 
entire Families who efcape from the Miflioners after having 
abode with them ten or twelve Years, and return to the 
Woods to their firft mode of living. 

It may be reply'd by fome, that we fee many Chriftians 
in Europe fwerve from their Duty, and difgrace their Char- 



586 A Voyage into North America. 

after by a Libertine Condudt ; but we do not difcourfe here 
of the Corruption of the Manners of the Savages, but of 
their adhefion to Chriftianity : It's certain they quite apofla- 
tize from it. 

[159] The contrary has been declar'd in France, in fev- 
eral Relations, which have been pubhfh'd upon this Subje6t, 
which were order'd to be read to the Penfionaries of the 
Urfulines. It's faid, that there are a great many Indians con- 
verted, and others ready for the Sacrament of Confirmation, 
and that fome of them have received the leffer Orders. 
Would to God that all thofe Churches fpoke of in the Re- 
lations were as real, as all the judicious People of Canada 
know they are chimerical. If they were formerly, what's be- 
come of them now? after almoft an Age they are no more 
to be feen ; and yet the Colony of Canada increafes. The 
Trade is greater than formerly, and it's better known, fo that 
the pretended number of Converts would be eafily difcovered. 

When formerly thefe Relations were read to Perfons who 
had not that knowledg of Canada we have at prefent, it 
gained Credit with every body according to their Inclina- 
tions. It was eafy to impofe upon People in this refpedt. 
But as to me who have been upon the Place, and who have 
always fpoke my mind with a great deal of Candor and 
Liberty, I content my felf to appeal to all the Inhabitants 
of New France, who are at prefent fifteen or fixteen thoufand 
Souls ^ ; I am affured they will confefs ingenuoufly, there is 



^The population of Canada is given by Suite [Canad.-Frangais, v, p. 89; vi, 
46-48) as follows : In 1681, 9,677; in 1691, 12,000; in 1698, about 16,000. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 587 

fcarce any Chriftianity among the Savages at this day, except 
fome particular Perfons, and thofe in fmall numbers, very 
fickle and inconftant, ready at every moment for any fmall 
Intereft to abandon their Religion. 

It may be that fome Advances are made towards the 
civilizing thofe Barbarians, and to make them more polite 
than they were. But all the Inhabitants of thofe Countries 
know, that they are no more Chriftians than formerly. Not- 
withftanding it's very probable that they would have adhered 
better to the Chriftian Religion, if they had trod in the fteps 
[160] of the Religious of our Order, if they had kept a folid 
Peace with the Iroquois and other Savage Nations, and if 
they had been mingled among the Europeans, to make them 
more docible and more tradlable. 

While I was in the Miffion of Canada^ I bethought me 
one day to ask fome judicious Men, how it happen'd that 
we had no more Annual Relations of the Miffions of Canada. 
When thofe whom I had asked gave me no Anfwer, a cer- 
tain Perfon who thought no ill, told me, that the Court of 
Rome had order'd that the Relations of foreign Miffions 
fhould be exadlly true : That the Congregation De propa- 
ganda Fide had order'd that no more fhould be publifhed 
that were not of publick Notoriety, and clear as the Sun at 
Noon. This feem'd to me to be a judicious Anfwer.^ 



^ In the preceding four pages, Hennepin has attacked the missionary labors of the 
Jesuits in Canada, although without mentioning that order by name. The published 
reports here alluded to are the annual Relations sent by the Jesuit missionaries in 
Canada to their superiors in France or at Rome ; these were regularly published from 
1632 until 1672. From that time they ceased to appear, in consequence of an order 



S88 A Voyage into North America. 

Refle6ling upon this, we ought to admire the Judgments 
of God upon thefe barbarous Nations, and to acknowledg 
his Mercy toward us, that he has been pleafed to let us be 
born of Parents illuminated with the bright Rays of the 
Chriftian Faith, in a Country where we are betimes formed 
to Piety, and all manner of Vertues ; where the multitude of 
interiour Graces and exteriour Helps prefent us the means 
to fecure our Salvation, if we be faithful. 

We ought to give him the Glory that is due to him for 
the excellent Lights we have received, and which diftinguifh 
us fo advantageoufly from fo many Nations who are in the 
Darknefs of Error and Blindnefs. This ought to oblige us 
to make our Election fure by all forts of good Works, fet- 
ting before our Eyes the account we muft one day give be- 
fore the dreadful Tribunal of God, of the ufe we have made 
of all his Graces and Benefits. 



issued (Dec. 19, 1672) by the Congregation of the Propaganda, and enforced by a 
brief (Apr. 6, 1673) of Pope Clement X, forbidding the publication (without written 
permission from the Congregation) of any books about missions. See Jes. Relatiotis, 
especially Iv, pp. 315, 316. — Ed. 



p/1 61 




The Ihki?!^ 0/ ':iusl£e /y T/i€^ <^lz/A 



/^/^Voftd^r^iicAi- •:fcu£- 



A Voyage into North America. 589 



[161] CHAP. XXXVI. 

Tbe Hifiory of the Irruption lubich the Engli/h made into Canada 
in the Tear 1628. Tbe taking of Quebec, tbe Metropolis of 
Canada, in tbe Tear 1629. Tbe mofl honourable Treatment 
tbey gave tbe Recolets. 

I THOUGHT my felf obliged to publifh the Obfervations 
which I have drawn from the Reverend Father Valentine 
le Roux, Provincial Commiffary of our Recolets of Canada, 
who is a Man of fingular Merit. I have told you in my firft 
Volume, that I communicated to him my Journal of the 
Difcovery I made of all the River of Mefchafipi. This Man, 
who has a deep and piercing Judgm.ent, has publifhed what 
he knows of the Intrigues of Canada under a borrowed 
Name^; and he fhews in his Work, that the Condudl of 
Providence is always admirable, and that fhe accomplifhes 
her Defigns by ways impenetrable, in their Beginning, in their 
Progrefs, and in their Perfe6tion. 

The Colony of New France, fays this clear-fighted Reli- 
gious, for a long tim.e flourifhed more and more ; great Dif- 
coveries were m.ade, Trade advanced, the People encreafed, 
Chappels and Oratories were built in many places, and the 



^Seethe first sentence of the following chapter (xxxvii). Hennepin here gives a 
sort of paraphrase of chap, xii in Le Clercq's Etablissement de la Toy. — Ed. 



590 A Voyage into North America. 

Country had a new face of Government : But God permitted 
all this to be ruined by the defcent of the Englifh, who pre- 
tend that their Soveraign is not only King of three King- 
doms, but alfo of the Sea. 

Some Englifh, zealous for their Nation, armed a Fleet in 
1628,^ to feize upon Canada^ in the Reign of Lewis XIII, 
Father of the prefent King. Two Turtles,^ [162] of which 
great Flights are in this Country, fell of themfelves in a very 
calm time into the Fort of Quebec the ()th of July the fame 
Year. The Inhabitants of Canada took it for a Prefage of 
the Change that happen'd. 

The Englifh in their Route feized upon a French Veffel 
which was at the Mouth of the River of St. Francis,^ in that 
part of the Ifle which is called Pierced, becaufe of a fmall 
Cape of Land which fhoots out into the Sea, in the middle 
of which is a great Arch which is naturally pierced in the 
Rock, under which the Chaloups that fifh for Poor Jack pafs 



1 Reference is here made to the London trading company called "Merchant 
Adventurers to Canada." Its founder, Sir William Alexander, had obtained from 
James I of England a grant of all the territory from the St. Croix River to the St. 
Lawrence, ignoring all French claims to that region. In 1627, Alexander settled a 
small colony in Nova Scotia ; and in the following year David Kirk, another of the 
associates, seized all the French fishing vessels in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, threatened 
Quebec, and captured a French squadron sent with supplies for that town. In 1629, 
he returned to the attack, captured Quebec, and took possession of Canada for 
England. — Ed. 

2 The passenger pigeon {Columba migraioria) ; formerly abundant, but now prac- 
tically extinct, in the United States. The word " Turtles " is, however, an absurd 
error of either Hennepin or his English translator; for this incident, as originally 
related by Sagard {Canada, Tross ed., pp. 831, 832, 887), was that of the sudden 
fall, without apparent cause, of two small towers (Fr. toiirelles) of the fort. — Ed. 

^ The Mai Bale River, in Gaspe ; Isle Percee is not far from its mouth. — Ed, 



A Voyage into North America. 591 

when they return from Fifhing. The Engllfh fail'd with a 
fair Wind, and advanced up the River as far as Tadoujjac} 
which is a River that falls into this, and comes from the 
Countries which are towards Hudfori's, Bay, as may be feen in 
the Maps. 

The Englifh found a Bark, which they made ufe of to 
land 20 Souldiers : Thefe were fent to feize upon Cape 
Tourment, fo called, becaufe of the danger the Ships are in 
there during the Tempefts, which are more frequent here 
than in any part of the River. Two Savages who lived among 
the Europeans having difcovered them, gave advice to Quebec, 
which is but about feven or eight Leagues from the Cape. 

Monfieur Champlin,^ who was Governour of that City, 
entreated Father Jofeph Caron, Superiour of the Recolets, to 
go near the Englifh Fleet in a Canoo of Bark, to know the 
Truth. The Advice was but too true. He found it con- 
firm'd about five Leagues from Quebec, and had no other 
time but prefently to run a fhoar, and fave himfelf in the 
Woods. The two Religious we had at Cape Tourment came 
by Land to Quebec, with the Sieur Faucher, who was Com- 
mandant there, to give an account of the taking of Cape 



^Tadoussac is the seaport village at the mouth of the Saguenay River, Que. 
This river rises in Lake St. John, into which fall rivers that connect, by portages, 
with the streams flowing into Hudson Bay. — Ed. 

2 Samuel de Champlain, the great explorer of Canada and the New England 
coast. His Voyages — of which several editions were published during his life, and 
which has also been translated into English — is one of the prime authorities on early 
Canadian history and geography. He founded Quebec (1608), and was the first 
governor of the colony (1612 until his death, Dec. 25, 1635 — except during the 
English occupation, 1629-32). — Ed. 



592 A Voyage into North America. 

Tourment. The Englifh there feized upon all the Effeds 
valuable, and the Inhabitants fled into the [163] Woods. 
There v/ere but three that fell into the hands of the Englifh ; 
one of whom was called Piver} with his Wife and his Niece. 
Soon after they appeared before Quebec^ accompanied with 
an Officer of Mr. Kirk, Admiral of the Englifh Fleet. 

This Officer fummoned them by a Letter from the Ad- 
miral to furrender the Place : but the Governour, who was 
a gallant Man of his Perfon, tho much embarafs'd with this 
Invafion, remaining firm and undaunted, made them fo fierce 
an Anfwer, that the Englifh, who will rather perifh than defifl 
from an Enterprize, believed by this Anfwer that the Fort 
of Quebec was in a better condition than they thought it was. 
So this time they let it alone, and putting oflF their Defign 
to a more convenient time, they fet fail for England. 

The Englifn General then putting off the Defign to the 
Year following, contented himfelf with taking a great number 
of Prifoners, which he carried into England, and among the 
reft a young Savage Huron, called Lewis of the Holy Faith^^ 
who had been baptized two Years before by the Archbifhop 
of Rouen. The refl: of the Prifoners, doubtlefs with a defign 
to be the more valued, faid, that that Savage was the Son 
of the King of Canada. The Englifh General believed that 
fo confiderable a Prifoner would much facilitate the Con- 
queft of the whole Country the Year following. But he was 
much furprized when after he had taken Quebec, he under- 



1 Nicolas Pivert, one of the first settlers at Beaupre, Que. — Ed. 

2 Louis de Sainte-Foi, whose Huron name was Amantacha. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 593 

ftood that the Father of this Savage was a poor miferable 
Htiron, who had neither Credit nor Power in his own Nation. 
This was the Reafon that the Son was reftored in a pitiful 
Habit : The Englifh took from him all the Equipage they 
had given him, as fuppofing he had been the Son of a King. 
The Reputation this Savage was in for fome time was the 
Caufe of his Ruin, and it may be of his eternal Damnation ; 
for being [164] among the Savages, he loft all the Ideas of 
Chriftian Religion. 

In the fright that every body v/as in upon the Arrival 
of the Englifh, many Savage Mountaineers came to offer 
their Service to the Recolets of Quebec : among the reft the 
above-mentioned Napaga Bifcou, who having been inftruded 
and baptized by Father Jofepb Caron, endeavoured to do the 
beft fervice he could to his Benefador. As foon therefore 
as he could make his Efcape from the Englifh, he repre- 
fented to Father Jofepb, that if the Enemy did the fame at 
Quebec they had done at Cape Tourment, the Savages would 
find no Retreat any more for their Comfort during Winter: 
I beg of you Father, fays this Savage, that you would be 
pleafed to let two or three of your Friars go along with me ; 
they will fay Prayers for us, and inftrudl our Children, and 
thofe of our Nation who have not as yet feen any Naked Feet, 
for fo they call our Recolets : I'll fupport them ; they fhall 
be treated as my felf, and we'll come from time to time to 
vifit you. 

Father Jofepb liked v/ell this Propofition : the Savage took 
two along with him, which he led to a place where this In- 

II-IG 



594 ^ Voyage into North America. 

dian dwelt, who likewife begg'd that Friar Gcrva/e Mobier, 
a Lay-brother, might be one of them : they defigned to pafs 
that Winter among the Algonqiiins. They prefently therefore 
departed for the three Rivers, and run a great many rifques 
in the Journey : Their Canoos were bilged about fifteen 
Leagues below the three Rivers, fo that they were forced to 
go the reft of the Journey thorow the Woods. They thought 
to be carried by the Tide, which flows up the River of St. 
Lawrence above a hundred and thirty fix Leagues from the 
Sea: At laft by the help of a Canoo which they light upon 
by chance, they came to the three Rivers,^ where were Vil- 
lages ereded by the Mountaineers and Algonquins : [165] 
thefe Savages were expedting there the Harveft-time for their 
Indian Corn. They made great demonftrations of the real 
AfTedion they had for them, of whom they had heard much 
Difcourfe from Father to Son. 

Being there, they underftood the Englifh were gone out 
of the River, and that before that they had fought and van- 
quifhed the French Fleet which came into Canada. This 
News obliged Monfieur Champlin, Governour of Quebec, as 
well as all the reft of the French, to defire Father Jofepb to 
come back. 

While things paffed thus, twenty Canoos were feen to ar- 
rive, conduced by the Hurons, who brought along with them 

1 An appellation of the St. Maurice River, given on account of the three divisions 
or branches of its current made by two islands which lie near its mouth ; a French 
settlement was founded by Champlain (1634) at its mouth, which is now the city of 
Three Rivers, Que.— Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 595 

Father Jofeph de la Roche Daillon,^ Recolet. The Grief of 
Nepaga Btifcon is not to be expreffed when he was to part 
with this Religious : But the Order was peremptory. I can- 
not here forget the dexterous Contrivance of a young Chrif- 
tian Savage to rid himfelf out of the hands of the Englilh, 
or rather to procure fome Prefent from the French : He was 
called Peter Antony Arekouanon^ and had been baptized in 
France^ and educated in a College at the Expence of the 
Prince of Guimeni : He was at Tadoiijfac when the Englifh 
appeared there, and fo was taken Prifoner with the reft, and 
carried aboard : he was interrogated in French and Latin, 
but made as if he underflood nothing of what he was asked. 
Captain MicheP a French-man, who out of Difcontent had 
a long time before gone over to the Englifh, knew this Sav- 
age, and that he underftood both Languages : He gave an 
account to the General of it, who kept him for an Interpreter 
for the Engliih when they fhould go to traffick with the 
Indians. Peter Antony could no longer conceal his Knowledg 
of the two Languages, and that he was a Chriftian ; but he 
bethought him of a Stratagem: He pretended [i66] he 
would really efpoufe the part of the Engli/h. He told the 
Admiral he was to keep fome meafures with the French ; and 

^This Recollet missionary came to Canada in 1625, and labored among the Hu- 
rons from 1626 to 1628 ; he then went to Quebec, and was sent back to France by 
Kirk in the following year. — Ed. 

2 Pierre Antoine Atetkouanon (according to Le Clercq ; but Pastedechouan, in 
the Jesuit Relations, q. v. under that name). — Ed. 

3 Jacques Michel, mentioned in the Relations as a Huguenot. — Ed. 



59^ A Voyage into North America. 

above all, that he was much obliged to the Recollets who had 
converted him, and who had taught him what he underftood 
of Latin and French. He begg'd of the Admiral, that he 
would not carry him to Quebec^ that he could be more fervice- 
able to him if he would be pleafed to let him go to the three 
Rivers with Canoos loaden with Provifions and Merchan- 
dizes ; and that he would induce a great number of Savages 
to come and trade. The Admiral believed what he faid, and 
granted him all he demanded : But this Man feeing himfelf 
out of the hands of the Eitgli/Ji, who had treated him very 
civilly, went ftraight to the Red IJland^ crofs'd the River of 
St. Laurence^ came to the River of JVolves [Riviere du Loup], 
and afterwards the Admiral heard no farther tidings of him. 
They had a hard Winter of it at Quebec^ for they wanted 
all forts of Neceffaries ; and becaufe the Ships which brought 
Provifions were feized on by the Engli/h, they were therefore 
obliged to divide the fmall Provifion that was left. Our 
Religious might have had their fhare as well as others, but 
they contented themfelves with Indian Corn, and the Pulfe 
they had fown. Madam Hebers^ made them a Prefent of 
two Barrels of Peafe, which are extraordinary good and large 
in Canada ; befides they had Raifins, and had made a pro- 
vilion of Acorns in cafe of neceffity, and they were fo happy 
as to catch fome Eels, which are plentiful in that River. 

1 An island in the St. Lawrence, opposite the mouth of the Saguenay ; in early 
times, noted for its seal-fisheries. — Ed. 

2 Marie Rollet, widow of Louis Hebert ; he was the first agricultural settler in 
Canada (1617). He died in 1627. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 597 

Providence multiplied their Provifions fo, that they were 
able to furnifh three Seminaries of Savages, and many more 
who were in great Neceffity. 

The Jefuits, who for fome time had made ufe of one half 
of our Houfe, having built one for themfelves, where they 
now dwell, did their utmoft to fuccour the French. 

[167] Early in the Spring Monfieur de Champlin feeing 
the Neceflity we were in all Winter, which was very fharp 
in Canada^ infomuch that for the moil part the Snow was five 
or fix foot deep, and continued fo, for it feldom rains in 
Winter, begged of Father Jojeph to grant him a part of our 
Lands towards Hair-pointy or Point aux lievres^: Some other 
private Perfons granted other Lands : They were plowed in 
hafte, and there was fown bearded Wheat, Peafe and Indian 
Wheat, at the beginning and middle of May. They were 
forced to do fo, becaufe Wheat there cannot endure the Win- 
ter as in our Parts of Europe, becaufe of the extream Cold. 

The faid Sieiir Champlin had fent People towards Gafpee, 
which is between the Pierced IJland and Bojion, which belongs 
to the Engli/h, to fee if they could hear any tidings of any 
French Veffel; they went in a Chaloup, but could hear no 
news of any. But they were affured that the Gafpefien 
Savages offered to maintain twenty intire Families. The 
Algonqidns and Mountaneers offered larger Supplies. A Ship 
was equipped to go into France; the Sieur de Boiile, Sieur 



1 " Point of Hares"; a headland on the St. Lawrence shore, near Quebec; the 
Jesuits had a cattle-farm there. — Ed. 



598 A Voyage into North America. 

Champlin's Brother-in-law, was made Captain of her; he 
took the Sieur des Dames'^ Commiffary of the Company, for 
his Lieutenant. 

Being come near Gajpee in the Bay of St. Laurence^ they 
happily met with a French Ship commanded by the Sieur 
Emeric de Caen^ who brought them Supplies. He told them 
that the King did fend the Sieur de Rafilly to fight the Engli/h, 
and fave the Country .^ The Ship was laden, and the Sieur de 
BouUe returned towards Quebec^ and then was taken by an 
Englifh Veffel, and was made a Prifoner of War with all his 
Crew. 

In the interim the Hurons arrived at Quebec with twenty 
Canoos, we bought their Indian Corn : Monfieur de Champlin 
gave one part to the Jefuits, who [i68] had taken upon them 
the charge to take care of feveral ; and our Recollets having 
alfo receiv'd a fupply of Vi6luals, fubfifted till the arrival of 
the Englijhy which was not long. 

The Englijh Fleet furprifed the French in Canada; they 
appeared in the Morning the \()th of July 1629, over againft 

1 Thierry Desdames, a naval captain ; he came to Canada as early as 1622, and 
remained until the conquest. Returning after the retrocession of that country, he was 
commandant at Miscou from 1639 to 1646. — Ed. 

2 Emery de Caen, a Huguenot naval officer, was prominent in the early history of 
Canada. During 1620-27 he, with his uncle Guillaume de Caen, was at the head of 
a mercantile company who had obtained the monopoly of the Canadian fur trade ; for 
full account of this and several other commercial companies, see H. P. Biggar's 
Early Trading Companies ofNenv France (Toronto, 1901) . He was also provisional 
governor of Quebec during the first year of the French reoccupation. 

Isaac de Razilly, a naval officer of high standing, was ordered to relieve the suf- 
fering Quebec colonists ; but, through some misunderstanding or neglect of orders, 
the ships failed to reach the place in time to prevent its capture by Kirk. Razilly is 
best known as governor of Acadia (1632-35. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 599 

the great Bay of Quebec, at the Point of the Ifle of Orleans. 
The Fleet confifted of three Ships, and fix others which ftay'd 
at Tadouffac, and followed them. The Mifiioners, Jefuits, 
and RecoUets had Orders to retire into the Fort of Quebec with 
the Inhabitants. Father Valentine le Roux affures us there was 
only Powder for three or four Difcharges of Cannon, and 
eight or nine hundred Loads for Mufquets. 

Mr. Kirk, General of the Englifh Fleet, fent an Englifh 
Gentleman to Sieur de Cbamplin to fummon the Place, and 
to deliver a very honourable Letter. The miferable ftate of 
the Country, which had neither Provifions nor Ammunition, 
for there had come no Supply for two Years pail, obliged 
the Governor to return a more fupple Anfwer than the Year 
paft. 

He therefore deputed Father Jofeph Caron, Superior of 
the RecoUets, and fent him aboard the Englifh Admiral, to 
treat of the Surrender of Quebec upon advantagious Terms ; 
and above all, to obtain fome delay, if pofTible. Father Jofeph 
demanded fifteen days, but the Englifh General knowing the 
weak condition of the place, would admit of no delay. The 
Father infilled ftill upon fifteen days, upon which the Englifh 
call'd a Council, and the Refult was, they would only grant 
them that day till night. The Admiral gave Orders to 
Father Jofeph to return to ^ebec with this Anfwer, and that 
they fhould there make the Articles of Capitulation ready, 
which fhould be pundually perform'd. 

[169] The Englifh Admiral in a very civil and obliging 
manner told Father Jofeph, that he with his Religious might 



6oo A Voyage into North America. 

return to their Convent, and bid him be of good chear, for 
no harm fhould be done them, happen what would. 

Two French Prifoners, the one called Bailli,^ formerly 
Commiffary of the Company of Merchants, and Peter le Roy^ 
by trade a Waggoner, had done ill Offices to the Jefuits with 
one of the Englifh Captains : They perfwaded him that he 
fhould find with them great Riches. This was the reafon 
that this Captain told Father Jofeph in a heat, that if the 
Wind had proved good, they would have begun with their 
College firft. Father Jojepb at his return told them of the 
defign, on purpofe that they might take care of their Affairs 
in the Articles of the Treaty which were to be made. 

Father Jofeph having receiv'd this Anfwer from the Ad- 
miral, who fhewed him the Ships with all the Ammunition, 
and the Souldiers with their Arms ; in conclufion, he was fet 
a fhoar, and made his Report to Monfieur Champlin at 
Quebec. 

A Council was held, and they were divided in their Sen- 
timents. Two French Men who had accompanied Father 
Jofeph^ obferved that the Englifh were but few in number, 
and that they had not above two or three hundred Men of 
regular Troops, v/ith fome others that had not the Mein of 
Souldiers : Befides, they confided much in the Courage of 
the Inhabitants of Quebec; they were therefore much inclined, 
as well as the Jefuits, and our Religious, to run the risk of a 
Siege. But the Experience that Monfieur Champlin had of 
the Bravery of the Englijii, who would rather perifh than 

1 Called Le Baillif in the Jesuit Relations. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 60 1 

defift from an Enterprize which they had once begun, advifed 
the Council rather to furrender upon honourable Terms than 
ruin all. The Articles of Capitulation were drawn up accord- 
ing [170] to Monfieur Champlin\ Advice: Father Jofepb 
was commiflioned to carry them aboard the Englifh Admiral; 
and all things being adjufted, they demanded time till the 
next day. 

At the fame time the Savages that were lovers of our 
Religious, and above all, the afore-mentioned Cbaumin, folic- 
ited Father Jofepb and our Friars, that they would be pleafed 
to grant, that two or three of our Religious might retire into 
the Woods, and from thence into their Country. Altho Cbau- 
min was not yet well confirmed in the Chriftian Religion, he 
had a very great love and efi:eem for our Religious, becaufe 
they lived in common as the Savages do. Then having delib- 
erated on this Propofition, they confidered on the one fide, 
that the Englifli would not be any long time in poffefiion of 
the Country, and that fooner or later the King of France 
would re-enter by Treaty, or fome other ways ; that in the 
interim it would advance the common good amongft the 
Savages, who offered to entertain our Religious ; and that 
when the Country returned under the Dominion of France^ 
our Religious might ftill be found in Canada^ and in eftate 
to continue their ordinary Labours, and fupport their begun 
Eftablifhment. They were the more invited to embrace this 
Propofal, becaufe the Englifh General had given fo great 
marks of Friendfliip to Father Jofepb : In conclufion, two of 
our Religious offered to go. Father Jofepb at the fame time 



6o2 A Voyage into North America. 

did not go far off, and during this he thought it good to 
lofe no time, fince they muft depart and efcape, as fome of 
the French did, who went away with the Savages in a Canoo ; 
and it was not little Grief to the Miffioners to be flopt by 
force in their juft Defigns. 

The Council of Quebec and the other Chieftains oppofed 
their departure, and it was concluded for divers Reafons 
politick and purely human; which [171] whether it was for 
the Reproach they pretended to have reafon to fear in France^ 
or whether it was the diftruft of Providence towards our 
Religious, or whether, in fhort, it was they did not believe 
the French would return again into Canada^ they were forced 
to yield. 

This afforded matter to build a Complaint upon at Court, 
and particularly by our Friars of the Province of St. Denis, 
againft Father Jofeph, as not having that Firmnefs and Zeal 
which he ought to have had on this occafion; and that the 
Savages who had put all their Confidence in the Recollets, 
had been better difpofed to the Chriftian Rehgion than ever 
before. 

Father Jofeph juftified himfelf the beft he could, and af- 
firmed he had done nothing but executed the Orders of the 
Council of Quebec, as the Anfwers make evident, when he 
gave an account to the Definitor of his Province at his 
return, giving an account of his Miffion. 

The next day, being the 20th of July, in the Year 1629, 
the Sieiir de Cbamplin having been on board the Englifh Ad- 
miral, the Articles of Capitulation were figned by both 



A Voyage into North America. 603 

Parties; after which the Englijh went afhore, and were put 
in poffeffion of Canada by the Sieur de Champlin. 

Father Valentine de Roux, an antient Commiffaire, Provincial 
of the Friars of Canada, whom I faw at my return from my 
Difcovery, hath all the Articles of Capitulation made by the 
French at Quebec with the Engli/h, when the Englijh took pof- 
feffion ; he faid the Sieur de Champlin faved with his Family 
all his EflFeds, and even found fome advantage by this Treaty 
by the good Entertainment the Englifli fhew'd him. The 
French Inhabitants who were then in the Country had every 
one twenty Crowns, and all the reft of their Goods were to 
remain to the Conquerors; [172] and from this was made 
the great Complaint, becaufe there were found fome partic- 
ular Perfons who were enrich'd upon this occafion. Thofe 
who were willing to ftay in the Country, obtained great 
Advantages of the Englijh, but moft of all the Family of 
Monfieur Hebert, whom I have often converfed with at Mount 
Royal, when I paffed by to go to the Fort of Frontenac. The 
Religious, I confefs, were much indebted to the Generofity 
of the Englijh for divers fingular Favours, which has always 
made me have a great Efteem for that brave Nation: They 
kept punctually their Word given by their Admiral, not fuf- 
fering any Injury to be done to the Convent of our Lady of 
Angels at Quebec, nor to our firft Refidence, which v/as the 
place where now ftands the Cathedral Church of Quebec, our 
Religious not having been re-eftabhfhed there fmce.^ But 



1 This is evidently an error; as we have already seen, the Recollets returned to 
Quebec in 1670. — Ed. 



6o4 A Voyage into North America. 

notwithftanding all the Diligence that the Englilh Officers 
made ufe of in our favour, they could not hinder but one 
of their Souldiers ftole from us a Silver Chalice : But the 
Enghfh Officers, who are naturally generous, teftified much 
Trouble at it to our Religious, and fwore folemnly to take 
Revenge on the Party if he could be difcovered. 

The Jefuits, who came not into Canada till fourteen or 
fifteen Years after our Friars^ (who by confequence were 
the firft Miffioners of America) met with a Treatment far 
different; their Houfe was pillaged, and all that was found 
was given as a Prey to the Souldiers ; and they were obliged 
to imbark the next day with the ^'leur Champlin^ and all the 
French except twenty feven, who fet fail towards Tadouffac : 
But the two Brothers Lewis and [Thomas] Kirk^ the one 
Admiral, and the other Vice-Admiral of the Engli/h, permitted 
our Religious to ftay at Quebec: The Englifli teftifying then 
publickly, that they left us in Canada^ to inftrud the Natives 
in the [173] Principles of the Chriftian Religion, and that 
with the confent of the King of England^ that we might be 
hindred from returning into France. They had at the fame 
time as much famiharity with them in all things, to fay or 
do, or make Vifits, with the fame liberty as before the taking 
of Quebec ; alfo they were fo far from hindering the exercife 
of the Romiffi Religion, that they prayed them to take from 
them Wine for the Mafs ; which they knew was before de- 



^The Recollets in Canada, finding themselves unequal to so great a task, invited 
the Jesuits (1624) to aid them in evangelizing the Indian tribes. In accordance with 
this request, a party of Jesuit missionaries came to Canada in the following year; 
and the two orders labored together until the conquest (1629) . — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 605 

puted for the ordinary Service of the Church, which there 
they heartily offered. Our RecoUeds hved fo above fix 
Weeks after the taking of Quebec^ and received much Civility 
from the Englifh, who folicited them to ftay amongft them, 
having liberty to inftrud the Natives who dealt with them. 
This continued till the 9th of September following, when they 
embarked us aboard the Sieur Pontgrave^ who remained at 
Canada^ becaufe of his Indifpofition, with a defign to rejoin 
the Sieur Champlin^ the Jefuits, and all the French of Can- 
ada^ who were ordered to pafs to Tadouffac^ the day after the 
taking Quebec. I leave you to think how great Sorrow the 
MiiHoners were plunged into, when enforced to abandon a 
Miffion fo long followed, and with fo much application. 

The hopes that our Friars had of returning in fome good 
time into Canada^ made them hide in feveral places part of 
their Utenfils, and clofed up in a Cafe of Elk Skins, put 
into a good Box, which no Air could get into, the principal 
Ornaments of the Church. The Englifh Fleet fet fail the 
14th of September for England, and arrived at PUmoiith the 
1 8th of October, where our Recolle6ls ftaid five or fix days; 
after which they were conduced to London, with fome more 
French; from London they got to Callice [Calais] the 24th of 
the fame Month, and from thence to our Convent of Paris. 

[174] The Publick may remark, that the Englifli having 
conferved our Convent of Quebec, and that of our Lady of 
Angels, the laft of which was found in good eftate to receive 

1 Francois du Pont (also called Pontgrave) was a French merchant who came with 
his friend Champlain to Canada in 1603 ; he was engaged in the fur trade from that 
time until the conquest. — Ed. 



6o6 A Voyage into North America. 

the Jefuits at their return into Canada^ whilft their Houfe was 
making ready ; our Religious having told them of the place 
where they had hid their Ornaments, gave power to the Jefuits 
to make ufe of them, or any thing they had there, as by their 
confent declared to Father 'John the Jefuit,^ which they were 
pleafed to accept, and made ufe of our Goods as their own; 
alfo of our Houfe, of our Church, and of our Lands, of 
which one part they hold at prefent, from a place called the 
Gribanne^ unto the fide of the Convent of our Lady of 
Angels. From which it is to be obferved, that a Letter 
attributed to Father L' Allemant Jefuit, and related in the 
13th Tome of the French Mercury^ muft be a Forgery: For 
there he, amongft other things contrary to Truth, makes him 
fay that he was of the Sentiments of his Provincial, to whom 
he writ, to dedicate their Church to our Lady of Angels, 
and that ours was confecrated to St. Charles; which clearly 
demonflrates that this Letter was not Father U Allemant's^ as 
is faid : He was better vers'd in the Hiftory of America^ than 
to be ignorant that the firft Church in Canada belonged to 
the Recolle6ts, who were the firft MifHoners, and that it was 
confecrated under the name of our Lady of Angels} 

^ This is a blunder for Paul le Jeune, who was first of the Jesuits to return to 
Canada in 1632. He was one of the most noted among the Canadian missionaries 
of that order, and was superior of the missions during 1632-39. In 1649 he returned 
to France. — Ed. 

2 A reference to a letter written (Aug. i, 1626) by Charles Lalemant, then 
superior of Canadian missions, to his brother Jerome, also a Jesuit. It was published 
at Paris in 1627, and reprinted in the Mercure Frangois, then the chief periodical 
journal of France. Hennepin'r, statement that this letter is a forgery seems to have no 
valid foundation. See Shea's Le Clercq, p. 329, note*; also Jes. Relations, iv, 
pp. 185-227, 248-250 — where the letter is republished in full. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 607 



[175] CHAP. XXXVII. 

How the Religious of the Order of St. Francis, in their MiJJions 
through the habitable J'Forld., have been before the Jefuits. 

I CANNOT but follow the Sentiments of Father Valentine 
le Roux, whom I have mentioned in the foregoing Chap- 
ter, which he hath been pleafed to publifh under the Name 
of Father Chriftian le Clerc. 

It is a great Glory, and a great fubjedt of Confolation, 
for our Holy Order of the Religious of St. Francis^ to have 
had the advantage to be the firft Forerunners of the Rev- 
erend Fathers of that Company of Jefus, in all places, by 
preaching the Gofpel, and firft digging, and preparing the 
Vineyard of our Lord, in all Apoftolical things, in both the 
Indies Eafi and IFefl^ in Afia^ in Barbary, in Turky, and gen- 
erally through all parts ; where the Children of St. Ignatius 
have fince walked in the Steps of the Children of St. Francis. 

In the Eafl-Indies, where the Jefuits are at this day great 
in Credit, in Merit, and in Wealth, having the Dew of 
Heaven, and the Fat of the Earth ; the Receiver-General, 
whofe Name I have forgot, made this Difcourfe in my pref- 
ence, at the Table of Monfieur Comte de Frontenac, Governour- 
General of New-France : That eight Friars Minors were fent 
in the Year of our Lord 1500, and preached the Gofpel at 



6o8 A Voyage into North America. 

Callecute, and Cochim'^; there receiving the Crown of Martyr- 
dom, all except Father Henry, who at his return into Spain was 
made Confeffor to the King of Portugal, and Bifhop of Ceuta. 

[176] In 1502, there was ordered a great Miffion of our 
Religious, who opened the way much farther to advance the 
Standard of the Crofs; and there made a very great progrefs 
of the Gofpel, by the Converfion of a prodigious number of 
thefe People. 

In the Year 15 10, our Religious of the Order of St. Francis 
built the famous College or Seminary of Goa,^ the capital 
City of the Eajl-Indies ; and our Religious had the Condud: 
of it, and what accrued to it, for the fpace of 28 Years; till at 
the laft, in the Year 1542, our Religious gave it to St. Francis 
Xaverius, that he might apply himfelf wholly, with his Dif- 
ciples, to preach the Gofpel to thofe barbarous Nations ; of 
which the Hiftorians of thofe times give evidence, and the 
Life of St. Francis Xaverius, the firft Edition, does declare ; 
above all Father Horace Torcelin, in a later Edition, alloweth 
it: But a certain late Author of the Jefults has been pleafed 
to fupprefs this mark of Acknowledgment, which of Juftice 
Is due to us.^ 

It Is well known we have had the honour both in the 
Eajl and Weft-Indies, and even in Japan, where we have been 

^ These names should be Calicut and Cochin, cities on the west coast of Southern 
Hindostan. — Ed. 

2 One of the most important cities on the west coast of India. — Ed. 

3 The Society of Jesus was founded in 1534, by Ignacio de Loyola; his most 
prominent disciple was Francisco de Xavier. These two were afterward canonized, 
as St. Ignatius and St. Francis Xavier. The latter began, in 1541, the missionary 
labors which have made him famous as " the apostle of the Indies "; in India and 



A Voyage into North America. 609 

fharers v/Ith the Fathers in the Crown of Martyrdom ; our 
Religious having planted the Gofpel in the Kingdom of 
Voxu^ part of the Eaft of Japan^ as I have fhewn in the Pref- 
ace of this Book : and it is in thefe vaft Countries where the 
Jefuits have been afterwards introduced, fupported, loved, 
favoured, and joined with them in the Apoftolical Labours. 

It is not lefs evident in other parts of the World ; the 
Religious of St. Francis having fupported and imployed to 
this day, as powerful Miflioners as any fince the beginning 
of their Order. 

Alexattder the Fourth, in the Year 1254, gives Tefiiimony, 
in one of his Epiftles, that our Religious had fpread them- 
felves in all Countries, not only of [177] Schifmaticks, but 
amongft thofe of Infidels. Remark the words of the Sover- 
eign PontiflF. 

^'^ Alexander^ &c. To Our well-beloved the Friars-minors, 
" who have been fent Miffioners into the Land of the Sarazens^ 
^^ Painims^ Greeks, Bulgarians, Cumanians, Ethiopians, Syrians, 
^^ Iberians, Jacobites, Nubians, Neftorians, Georgians, Armenians, 
''''Indians, Monofolites, Tartars, the Higher and Lower Hun- 
^^ gary, to the Chriftian Captives among the Turks, and to 
" other unbelieving Nations of the Eaft, or in any other parts 
"where they are, wifhing them Health, and fending them our 
"Apoftolick Benedidlion. 

In 1272, our Reverend Father Jerom d' A f cole, afterwards 

Japan his preaching converted thousands to the Christian faith, and in this occupation 
he died (1552). 

Orazio Torsellini (Torcellin) was a professor in the Jesuit college at Rome, and 
wrote many historical and poetical works ; he died in 1599. — Ed. 
11-17 



6io A Voyage into North America. 

created Pope Nicholas the Fourth, with his Difciples, not 
only managed the ReconciHation of the Greek with the Latin 
Church, but preached alfo the Gofpel in Tartary; and by 
this means the Religious of our Order were fent for by the 
Princes of the Higher and "Lo^tr Armenia^ in 1289, and con- 
tinued their Conquefts in 1332. 

Ttirky, with the Kingdoms and Countries under the 
Grand Signior, have been, and are yet the Theaters of the 
Zeal of the Religious of St. Francis, and are demonftrations 
of our Travels. In the Holy Land, and other places, now 
fubje6l to the Turks, the Chriftians are yet governed by the 
diredion of the Children of St. Francis. Thofe who keep the 
Sf^pulchre of our Lord Jefus Chrift, have done confiderable 
Service to the Reverend Fathers Jefuits ; others of them 
upon divers occafions have willingly ferved them. 

Hiftory maketh mention, that in the Year 1342, our Mif- 
fioners went into Bofnia and Sclavonia, amongft the Infidels, 
amongft the great Tartars; who now poffefs China, and into 
Perfta, Media, and Chaldea. 

[178] In 1370 our Miflion was reinforced by Urban the 
fifth with 60 of our Religious ; the Order being then hon- 
oured by a great number of Martyrs. 

The Embaffy of Eiigenius the 4//??, and the Miflion of 40 
of our Religious to Prefler John^ in 1439, fupported afterward 



1 Prester (i. e., Priest) John was the title given, in the middle ages, to a supposed 
Christian sovereign and priest in Central Asia. It is said that this notion arose from 
the conversion by Nestorian missionaries, in the eleventh or the twelfth century, of a 
Tartar chief named Ung Khan, v,rhich was corrupted or incorrectly translated into 
Prester John. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 6ii 

by a greater Number, is well known, as well as the Redu6licn 
of thefe States by them to the Obedience of the Church of 
Kome. 

I fhould never have done, if I fhould undertake to give 
an account of all the famous Miffions we have been honoured 
with through all the World ; in which the Reverend Fathers 
Jefuits have fince fpread themfelves, and are now entred into 
our Labours, or rather we have the Advantage of continuing 
them with us, and adling together in perfe(51: Union for the 
Glory of God, and Propagation of his Gofpel, which we 
only feek. 

It is for this reafon, that our Recolets of Paru called into 
Canada the Jefuits to help them, that they might labom' 
together for the gaining of Souls : But it is remarkable, that 
when the Englifh had reftored Canada to the French after 
four Years abode there, the Jefuits, who had better Helps 
for returning thither than our Religious, and as it were by 
Intrigues, a Bar was put to the Return of our Recolets. It 
was a fenfible trouble to fee, that fince we had preceded 
all the Jefuits in all other Miffions of the Chriftian World, 
that of New France was the only Place where we had not 
the Confolation to continue with them in the Apoftolical 
Labours ; and by fo much the more, becaufe that reciprocal 
Charity, which was not in the leaft diminifhed between the 
two Bodies, perfwaded us that the Jefuits, full of Vertue 
and Merit, had much regretted our abfence, as feems to be 
evident by their Letters at that time. 

It would require a Volume to defcribe the Difficulties that 



6i2 A Voyage into North America 

our Religious have had, to return into our [179] MifTions of 
Canada^ and the Intrigues that fome have made ufe of to 
hinder it : but nothing was omitted as to that. In conclu- 
fion, about thirty years after the Deputies of Canada^ who 
were impatient for the return of our Recolets, told our 
Religious more than they were willing to know, and more 
than Charity would permit to publifh ; the Deputies told our 
Religious, they wanted fome to make Curats at Quebec, and 
in fome other places ; that their Confciences were much 
troubled to have to do with the fame People, both for Spiri- 
tuals and Temporals, there being no Perfons to whom they 
might communicate the difficulties of their Confciences, but 
to the Jefuits ; and that the Recolets not being fuffered to 
be amongft them was a great lofs. 

The Diredlors of the Company of Canada^ difcourfed us 
to the like purpofe, particularly Monfieur Roje^ in company 
of Monfieur Margonne, Berhuhicr, and others ; who fpeaking 
to our Recolets, exprefs'd himfelf in thefe terms. ' My 
' Fathers, it had been better you had returned into Canada 
' than any others ; it is a high Injuflice done to them, and the 
' Inhabitants : we now fee where the Fault lay, prefent your 
' Reafons, and you, and thofe of the Country, fhall have all 
' the Juftice we can do you. The Secretary of the Company 



^ The commercial company (formed 1627) by Richelieu and other French officials, 
with many wealthy merchants, for carrying on the fur trade ; it was called ' ' Company 
of New France," also " the Hundred Associates." It had a monopoly of all Cana- 
dian trade, and thus gained enormous profits. In 1663 the company surrendered its 
charter to the crown. Margonne and Jean Rozee were directors of the company ; the 
other name is probably a misprint for Berthier (Alexandre) . — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 613 

likewife fpoke thus to the Religious. ' At other times, my 
' Fathers, I have been againft you, for which I have begged 
' God's pardon : I v/as miftaken at that prefent ; I fee well I 
' have offended ; and I pray God you may be fuffered to re- 
' turn into Canada^ after fo long time, there to take charge 
' of your Cures : you are much longed for, for the repofe of 
' Confciences. 

Father Zachary Moreau, Recolet, who died the death of 
the Juft in my Arms, in our Convent of St. Germains en Lay^ 
and Paul Huett^ who hath been my Father and Mafter from 
my Youth, at our Convent [i8o] of Recolets at Montargis, 
faid to the Deputies of the Company of Canada ; ' That tho 
' they would even permit us to return, we would not pretend 
' to exercife the Fundion of Curats, left we fhould give 
' Jealoufy to any : But if the Reverend Fathers the Jefuits 
' fhould do us the fame favour that our antient Fathers had 
'done them, in the Year 1625, when our Father Jojeph le 
' Caron, Superiour of our Convent of Quebec, permitted them, 
' and even pray'd them out of love to exercife the Fundlion 
' of Cures by turns. But all at laft ferved for nothing ; the 
' Company fent back our Religious to the Council of Quebec, 
' to amufe them ; becaufe the Council was compofed of a 
' Governour, and Perfons who were Creatures of the Rev- 
' erend Fathers Jefuits, as were the Superiour of the MifTion 
' of \_sc. and] the Sindic, and [some] of the Inhabitants, whom 
' they eafily gained to hinder our return into Canada. The 
' Father Provincial of the Jefuits, and the Father U Allemont 
' Superiour of the Profeft Houfe, was then in France, Supe- 



6 14 A Voyage into North America. 

' Hour of the Miffions, which all center'd to prolong our 
' return. The Reader may judg, that if the Reverend Fathers 
Jefuits had been in our place, and our Recolets in theirs, 
whether we fhould have been wanting to put a value upon 
their Requefts, and employed our Credit to ferve them : 
Our Recolets ftood firm for them againft the whole Country, 
who were againft their coming into Canada; and after their 
arrival, when the Governour and Inhabitants oppofed their 
Reception, in the Year 1625, we fupported them. 

True Charity, which is right and fimple, perfwaded us 
the Reverend Fathers Jefuits would not be wanting to make 
us a wiUing return of the like, upon this prefent occafion ; 
and they affured us by their Letter the Year following, that 
it was only want of Power and Credit in the Council of 
Quebec^ that they could not do us the Service they defired. 

[181] From this it is eafy to judg, that there was not 
one favourable Refolution given towards our Religious : The 
Diredlor-General of the Company, Monfieur Lauzon, appear- 
ing to be carelefs of our return, and in it a very great 
Obftacle ; he pafTing in quality of Governour of Canada, 
having often promifed our Re-admifTion : and afterwards 
going Governour, pretended not to be wanting to do us 
good Offices. The Marquefs de Deno\_n']ville, who after the 
great Difcovery I had made, went over in quality of Gover- 
nour of Canada, made us the like Promifes of Monfieur 
Lauzon} for the progrefs of our Difcovery: befides, the 



1 Jean de Lauzon (one of the Hundred Associates) was Governor of Canada during 
1651-56. Both he and Denonville were friendly to the Jesuits. — Ed. 



A Voyage into North America. 615 

Marquefs had Orders to fupport our Recolets in their 
Inftitute, from the Court of France ; but it proved quite con- 
trary. The Court afterwards recalling him from his Govern- 
ment, it was given to Monfieur the Count de Frontenac^ who 
hath been in my time a true Father to our Recolets, and a 
great fupport to our MifTions in Canada; as I have fpoke 
at large in my Defcription of my Louifiana, and more in my 
former Volume. 



6i6 A Voyage into North America. 



CHAP. XXXVIII. 

Of the Sentiments that a Miffioner ought to have of the little Prog- 
refs they find in their Labours. 

ALL the Chrlftian World acknowledg for a certain and 
undoubted Truth, and Maxim of Religion, and one of 
the chief Principles of Faith, that the Vocation and true Con- 
verfion of People and Nations, is the great Work and Mercy 
of the Power of God, and of the triumphant Efficacy of his 
Grace and Spirit. But if this be true of Nations that are 
Infidels and Idolaters, which are already under fome [182] 
Laws and Rules, and fo better prepared to receive the In- 
flrudlions of Chriftian Religion ; the Apoftolick Man ought 
much more to acknowledg this dependance upon the Sov- 
eraign Lord, in refped: of thofe barbarous Nations who have 
not any regard of any Religion true or falfe, who live without 
Rule, without Order, without Law, without God, without 
Worfhip, where Reafon is buried in Matter, and incapable 
of reafoning the mofb common things of Religion and Faith. 
Such are the People of Canada^ all along the River of 
St. Laurence^ and generally a prodigious quantity of People, 
of fundry Nations ; which I have given an account of in 
my Louifiana, or former Book. And that which I offer is 
that they would in earneft acknowledg, that the Work of 



A Voyage into North America. 617 

the converfion of fo many blind Nations, is above our 
ftrength, and that it only appertains to the Father of Spirits, 
as faith St. Paul^ who hath the Hearts of all Men in his 
Hands, and who only is able to remove the Vail which cov- 
ereth the Eyes of thefe Barbarians, and to clear their Under- 
ftanding, to diffipate the Chaos of darknefs, wherein they 
are buried, to bend their Inclinations, foften their hard and 
inflexible Hearts, and civiHze them, and make them capable 
of thofe Laws which right Reafon fuggefts ; and fo fubmit 
themfelves to that which Religion prefcribes. 

This is the Foundation of a true Apoftlefhip, in refpedt 
of the Natives of Canada^ and all our great Difcoveries twelve 
hundred Leagues beyond it. They ought to have all Moral 
and Theological Vertues, who are defigned for fo great a 
work as the Converfion of fo many Nations ; for whofe 
Salvation I would wiUingly expofe my Life. But before one 
facrifices, and wholly devotes himfelf to this great Miflion, 
he ought to lay it down for a certain Principle, That none 
can be drawn efficacioufly to Jefus Chrift, if the [183] Father 
of Lights do not draw him by the force of his vidlorious 
Grace : This his invifible Spirit breathes where and when he 
pleafes ; that the moments of Grace are known to God, 
and in the hands of the Power of the Father ; and that having 
called all Men to Faith, in the preparation of his good Will, 
common to all, he gives them in his own time, exterior, 
interior, and fufficient Grace to obtain it : That the work is 
not only of him that runs, nor him that wills, but principally 
of him who illuminates and touches the Heart. The Glory 



6i8 A Voyage into North America. 

does not belong to him that preaches, nor to him that plants, 
nor to him that waters, but to him that gives the increafe. 
That a Sacrifice of all Nature is not able to merit of right, 
the firft Grace of Creation, which does not fall under that 
head. That it's in vain to endeavour to eredl a Spiritual 
Edifice, if God do not aflifl by his preparing and preventing 
Grace. 

An humble Simplicity muft be the fole of all their Apof- 
tolical Labours, and a profound Annihilation of themfelves, 
and fubmifTion to the holy Will of God. When their Zeal 
has not its eflfeft, they mufl be content to fay. We have done 
our part, as to what is required of our Miniflry, but we are 
unprofitable Servants. 

I now beg of my Lord God upon my Knees, with my 
hands lifted up to Heaven, that he would be pleafed to 
continue and imprint in my Heart even to death, the Senti- 
ments of SubmifTion to the Will of God, and my Superiors, 
touching the Salvation of the Souls of fo many Savages, who 
are in the darknefs of Ignorance ; that I may make an intire 
Sacrifice of the reft of my days in fo laudable an Affair, ex- 
pofing my Soul to all the Events of the Providence of God, 
living and dying ; and that I may be fo happy as to leave 
Sentiments truly Apoftolical, full of light, capacity, Vertue 
and Grace, of Zeal and Courage to undertake [184] any thing 
for the Converfion of Souls, to fufTer patiently the greateft 
Difficulties, and the fevereft Contradidlions. for the accom- 
plifhment of their Miniftry. 

I beg of God from the bottom of my Heart, that all the 



A Voyage into North America. 619 

Miffioners of the Univerfe may with me be of the number 
of the Veffels of Eledion, deftinated to carry the Name of 
our Lord to People and Barbarous Nations, to the utmoft 
ends of the World ; and that the adorable Providence of 
God would be pleafed to fortify his Militant Church with a 
number of Workmen, to labour in his Vineyard, to fecond 
the Labours of all other Orders, Secular and Regular, in the 
new eftablifhments of the Kingdom of Jefus Chrift. 



FINIS. 



[185] An Account of fever al New Difcoveries in 
North-America. 

Of New-France. 

MR. Joliet^ who was fent by Count Frontenac to dif cover 
a Way into the South-Sea^ brought an exa6l Account 
of his Voyage, with a Map of it ; But his Canow being over- 
fet, at the Foot of the Fall of St. Louis, in fight of Montroyal, 
his Cheft and his two Men were loft; therefore the following 
Account contains only what he has remembred.^ 

I fet out from the Bay of Puans in the Latitude of 42 
Degrees 4 Minutes, and having travell'd about 60 Leagues to 
the Weftward, I found a Portage; and carrying our Canows 
over-land for half a League, I embark'd with fix Men on the 
River Mifconfing, which brought us into the Mefchafipi in the 
Latitude of 42 Degrees and an half, on the 15th of June, 1674. 
This Portage is but 40 Leagues from the Mijfijfipi. This 
River is half a League broad ; its Stream is gentle to the 
Latitude of 38 degrees ; for a River, from the Weft-North 
which runs into it, increafe fo much its Rapidity, that we 



1 This is a poor and inaccurate abridgment of the account given in a contemporary 
MS. which is published by Margry in his Decowvertes et etahlissements des Fran- 
gais, i, pp. 262-270; it is reproduced (with translation) in Jes. Relations, Iviii, 
pp. 92-109. — Ed. 



622 A New Difcovery of 

cou'd make but five Leagues a Day in our Return. The 
Savages told us, that the Current is not half fo great in 
Winter. The Banks of that River are covered with Woods 
down to the Sea ; but the Cotton-Trees are fo big, that I 
have feen fome Canows made of thofe Trees, eighty Foot 
long, and three broad, which carry thirty Men. I faw i8o 
of thofe Wooden-Canows in one Village of the Savages, 
[i86] confifting of 300 Cabins. They have abundance of 
Holly Trees, and other Trees, the Bark whereof is White ; 
Grapes, Apples, Plums, Chefnuts, Pomegranates, Mulberries, 
befides other Nuts unknown to Europe; plenty of Turky- 
Cocks, Parrots, Quails, Wild-Bulls, Stags, and Wild-Goats. 
Thefe Savages are affable, civil and obliging ; and the firft I 
met with prefented me with a Pipe or Calumet of Peace, 
which is a Protedion even in a Fight. Their Women and 
old Men take care of the Culture of the Ground, which is fo 
fertile as to afford three Crops of Indian Corn every Year. 
They have abundance of Water-Melons, Citruls, and Gourds. 
When they have fown their Corn, they go a Hunting for 
Wild Bulls, whofe Flefh they eat, and the Skin ferves for 
their Coverings, having drefs'd the fame with a fort of Earth, 
which ferves alfo to dye them. They have Axes and Knives 
from the French and Spaniards^ in exchange of their Beavers, 
and Skins of Wild Goats. Thofe who live near the Sea 
have fome Fire-Arms. 

The Mijfi/Jipi has few Windings and Turnings, and runs 
directly to the South, and having follow'd its Courfe till 
the 33d Degree of Latitude, I refolv'd to return home, feeing 



feveral Countries in America. 623 

that River did not difcharge it felf into Mar Vermejo^ which 
we look'd for, as alfo becaufe the Spaniards obferv'd our 
Motions for fix Days together. The Savages told me, that 
the Spaniards live within thirty Leagues to the Weftward. 

The faid M. JoUet adds, That he had fet down in his 
Journal an exad Defcription of the Iron-Mines they dif- 
cover'd, as alfo of the Quarries of Marble, and Cole-Pits, 
and Places where they find Salt-Petre, with feveral other 
things. He had alfo obferv'd what were the fittefl: Places 
to fettle Colonies, (s'c. The Soil is very fertile, and produces 
abundance of Grapes, which might make delicious Wines. 

[187] The River of St. Lewis^- which hath its Source near 
Miffichiganen [Michigan], is the biggeft, and the moft con- 
venient for a Colony, its Mouth into the Lake being very 
convenient for an Harbour. It is deep and broad, and well 
ftock'd with Sturgeons, and other Filhes. The Stags, Bulls, 
Wild-Goats, Turky-Cocks, and other Game, are more plenti- 
ful on the Banks of the faid River, than any where elfe. There 
are Meadows Ten or Twenty Leagues broad, encompafs'd 
with fine ForePcs ; behind which are other Meadows, in which 
Grafs grows fix Foot high. Hemp grows naturally in all 
that Country. 

Thofe who fhall fettle themfelves there, need not be 
oblig'd, as we are here, to befl:ow Ten Years labour for fell- 
ing down the Trees, and grubbing up the Land, before it is 
fit for Corn; for the Ground is ready for the Plough in that 

^The Vermillion Sea, now the Gulf of California. — ^Ed. 

2 So called by Joliet, but later known as the Illinois River. Ed. 



624 A New Difcovery of 

fortunate Country, where they may have good Wine. Their 
young Wild Bulls may be eafily learn'd to plough their Land ; 
and their long curl'd Hair, or rather Wool, may ferve to 
make good Cloth for their wearing. In fhort, that Soil 
wou'd afford any thing neceffary for Life, except Salt, which 
they might have another way. 



feveral Countries in America. 625 



[188] An Account of M. La Salles Voyage to the River 
Miffiffipi. Directed to Count Frontenac, Gov- 
ernor of New-France. 

THE River of Niagara is Navigable for three Leagues, 
that is, from the Fall to the Mouth of the Lake Erie; 
but the Stream is fo rapid, that it is almoft impoffible for a 
Bark to fail up into the Lake, without a ftrong Gale, and the 
help of many Men to hale from the Shore at the fame time. 
But befides all this, it requires fo many other Precautions, 
that one cannot expedt always to fucceed. 

The Mouth of the Lake Erie is full of Sands, which make 
it dangerous ; therefore to avoid that Danger, and not venture 
a Ship every Voyage, it will be fafer to leave it at an Anchor, 
in a River which runs into the Lake fix Leagues from the 
River Niagara, and is the only Harbour and Anchorage in 
this Lake. 

There are three great Points which advance above ten 
Leagues into it ; but being chiefly made up of Sand, they 
are fo low that there is great Danger of running a Ship 
againft them before they are difcover'd, and therefore a Pilot 
muft be very skilful and careful to fceer a Ship in this dan- 
gerous Lake. 

The Streight or Canal between the Lake Erie, and the 
Huron, is very rapid, and no lefs difficult than that of Niagara^ 

11-18 



626 A New Difcovery of 

though much deeper. The Strelght of Mijfilikinac between 
the Lake Huron, and that of the IIlinGis, is attended with no 
lefs Difficulties, for the Current is commonly againft the 
Wind. There is no Anchorage in the Lake [189] Huron, 
nor any Harbour in that of the Ulinois, upon the Northern, 
Weftern, and Southern Coafts. There are many Mands in 
both Lakes, which make the Navigation of that of the Ulinois 
very perilous; for there being no Harbour to run into for 
flielter, and the Storms being very terrible on that Lake, 'tis 
a great Providence when a Ship efcapes being dafh'd in pieces 
againft thofe Iflands. However, fome Canals and Anchor- 
ages may be difcover'd in time, which will remove thofe great 
Difficulties, as has hapned in the Lake of Frontenac, the Navi- 
gation whereof is now eafy, whereas it was at firft as danger- 
ous as that of the Lake Huron or Illinois. 

The Creek through which we went from the Lake of the 
Ulinois, into the Divine River, is fo fhallow, and fo much ex- 
pos'd to the Storms, that no Ship can venture to get in, 
unlefs it be in a great Calm.^ Neither is the Country be- 
tween the faid Creek and the Divine River, fit for a Canal ; 
for the Meadows between them are drown'd after any great 
Rain, and fo a Canal will be immediately fill'd up with Sands: 
And befides, it is impoffible to dig up the Ground, becaufe 



^This "creek" was the Chicago River; and the Divine River was the Des 
Piaines, the northern fork of the Illinois ; on Joliet's map of 1674 the name Divine is 
applied to the entire course of the Illinois. The old portage-trail and these two 
rivers have been made the route for the great Chicago Drainage Canal, which extends 
from Chicago to Joliet, and furnishes a waterway for navigation (thus far, not open 
to large vessels) between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi. — Ed. 



feveral Countries in America. 627 

of the Water, that Country being nothing but a Morafs: 
But fuppofing it were poffible to cut the Canal, it wou'd be 
however ufelefs ; for the Divine River is not navigable for 
forty Leagues together; that is, from that Place to the Vil- 
lage of the Illinois^ except for Canows, who have hardly 
Water enough in Summer-time. Befides this Difficulty, there 
is a Fall near the Village. 

We have feen no Mines there, though feveral Pieces of 
Copper are found in the Sand when the River is low. There 
is the beft Hemp in that Country I have feen any where, 
though it grows naturally without any culture. The Savages 
tell us, that they have found near this Village fome yellow 
Metal; but that cannot be Gold, according to [190] their 
own Relation, for the Oar [Ore] of Gold cannot be fo fine 
and bright as they told us. There are Coal-Pits on that 
River. 

The Wild Bulls are grown fomewhat fcarce fince the Illi- 
nois have been at War with their Neighbours, for now all 
Parties are continually Hunting of them. The Navigation is 
eafy from Fort Crevecceur to the Sea ; and New-Mexico is not 
above twenty Days Journey from the faid Fort. The Na- 
tions of the Metontonta^ who live within Ten Days Journey 
from the faid Fort, came to fee M. la Salle, and brought a 
Horfe's Hoof with them : They told us, That the Spaniards 
make a cruel War upon them, and that they ufe Spears 
more commonly than Fire-Arms. One may go by Water 
from Fort Crevecceur to the Habitation of thefe Savages. 



^ Or Otontenta ; the Des Moines River, and tribes dwelling thereon. — Ed. 



628 A New Difcovery of 

There are no Europeans at the Mouth of the River Col- 
bert (or Mijfijfipi) ; and the Monfter of which M. Joliet gives 
fo dreadful a Defcription, is a Fancy of fome Savages, and 
had never any Original. It is within a Days Journey and a 
half from Fort Crevec^eur ; but had M. Joliei gone down the 
River, he might have feen a more terrible one. That Gentle- 
man has not confider'd that the Mofopoela, of whom he takes 
notice in his Map, were altogether deftroy'd before he fet 
out for his Voyage. He fets down alfo in his Maps feveral 
Nations, which are nothing but Families of the Illinois. The 
Pronevoa^ Carcarilica^ Tamaroa^ Koracocnilonon, Chinko, Caokia, 
Choponfcay Amonokoa., Cankia^ Ocanfa^ and feveral others, make 
up the Nation and the Village of the Illinois^ confifling of 
about 400 Cabins cover'd with Rufhes, without any Forti- 
fications. I have told 1800 fighting Men amongft them. 
They have Peace now with all their Neighbours, except the 
Iroqiiefe ; and it wou'd be eafy to reconcile them, were it not 
to be fear'd that they wou'd afterwards fall upon the Out- 
touats, whom they mortally hate, and difturb [191] thereby 
our Commerce ; fo that we muft leave them as they are ; for 
as long as they fhall have occafion for us, they will be ready 
to comply with any thing that we can defire from them, and 
keep in awe the Nations inhabiting to the Weftward, who 
are much afraid of the Illinois. 

The Banks of feven or eight Rivers, which difcharge 
themfelves into the MiJfiJfipi, or Colbert-River, the leaft where- 
of runs above 300 Leagues, are cover'd with Fine Timber 
for Building Ships. 



feveral Countries in America. 629 

M. la Salle has feen fome Savages of three Nations 
through which Ferdinand Sotto pafs'd with his Army, viz. the 
Sicachia, Cafcin, and Aminoya'^: They told him that we might 
go by Water from Crevecceur into their Country. 

It is highly neceffary to carry on this Difcovery ; for the 
River inhabited by the Sicachia^ which in all likelihood is the 
true Cbukagoua, has its Source near Carolina, and confe- 
quently very near the Habitation of the Engli/h, about three 
hundred Leagues to the Eaflward of the Mijfijfipi in the 
French Florida, at the foot of the Apalachin Hills : For had 
the EngUPi notice of it, they might by means of this River- 
Trade with the Illinois, Mianiis, Nadouejfians, and other Sav- 
ages, fpoil for ever our Commerce. 

The Winter has been as hard in the Country of the Illi- 
tiois as at Fort Frontenac ; for though the Weather was there 
in January as temperate as in Provence, yet the River was ftili 
frozen on the 22d of March ; and therefore I conclude 'tis 
much the fame Climate as the Country of the Iroquefe. 

The Country between the Lake of the Illinois and the 
Lake Erie, is a row of Mountains for a hundred Leagues 
together, from whence fpring a great number of Rivers, 
which run to the Weftward into the Lake of the Illinois, to 
the North into the Lake Huron, to the Eaft into the Lake 
Erie, and to the South into the River Ohio? Their Sources 



1 Sicachia were Chicasas. The Tennessee River was on early maps called Cas- 
quinambo ; one of these, by De 1' Isle, names it " River of the Casquinambaux or 
Cheraquis " (Cherokeesj. It is apparently the Tennessee River which is men- 
tioned in the following paragraph. — Ed. 

2 The southeastern watershed of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan varies from 400 



630 A New Difcovery of 

are fo near one [192] another, that in three Days Journey I 
crofs'd twenty two, the leaft whereof Is bigger than that of 
Richelieu. The top of thefe Mountains are flat, and full of 
Bogs and Moraffes, v/hlch being not frozen, have prov'd an 
infupportable difficulty and trouble in our Voyage. There 
are now-and-then fome Plains, which I take to be very fertile ; 
they are cover'd with Bears, Stags, Wild-Goats, Turkey- 
Cocks, and Wolves, who are fo fierce as hardly to be frighted 
away by the Noife of our Guns. There is a River in the 
bottom of the Lake Erie^ within Ten Leagues of the Canal, 
which may very much fhorten the way to the Illinois^ it being 
navigable for Canows till within two Leagues of theirs^; but 
the moft convenient of all is the River Ohio^ which being 
navigable for Barks, will fave all the trouble of making a 
Communication between the Lake of the Illinois and the 
Divine River, and the great Expences of making the faid 
River navigable to Fort Crevecmir. 

One muft not fancy that the Ground in the Country of 
the Illinois is ready for the Plough ; fome of them are too 
dry, others too wet ; and in fhort, all require fome Toil and 
Trouble ; but I am fure they can fufficiently recompence in 
a little time, thofe who will be at the pains to cultivate them. 

The Nations through which we have pafs'd have receiv'd 
us very kindly, becaufe of our Calumet of Peace, which is a 



to 600 feet in altitude. Hennepin mentions it as a "row of Mountains" simply 
because it rises abruptly from a trough or depression (with an altitude of not over 72 
feet) which extends across the center of the Peninsula ; this sudden rise gives the 
effect of an apparently much greater height to the watershed. — Ed. 
^The Maumee River. — Ed. 



feveral Countries in America. 631 

fafe Coiidud and a fufficient Recommendation amongft the 
Savages. 

The Illinois offer'd to accompany us to the Sea, in hopes, 
as we told them, that we would fupply them that way with 
European Commodities ; for the want of Knives, Axes, &c. 
makes them very officious. The young Calves may be eafily 
tam'd, and very ufeful for fetling our Plantations. The Illi- 
nois have alfo many Slaves ^ which may be of great ufe to us. 

There are as many idle Fellows amongft them as among 
other Nations, and a great many more Women [193] than 
Men. They marry feveral Wives, fometimes nine or ten, 
and commonly all Sifters if they can, thinking they agree 
better in their Family. 

I have feen three Children who have been Baptiz'd ; one 
call'd Peter^ the other Jofeph, and the third Mary, who never- 
thelefs are like to live as their Father, who has marry'd three 
Sifters ; for they have no farther Chriftian Inftrudion ; Father 
Alloiiez,^ who Baptiz'd them, having left that Country, un- 
lefs one would think that the Stick that Father left amongft 
them, as a Mark that the Country belongs to him, has any 
extraordinary Virtue to promote Chriftianity. Thefe are the 

^The Illinois Indians were especially active in collecting, and selling to other 
tribes, slaves captured from the regions beyond the Mississippi. The French who 
settled at Kaskaskia and other places on the great river adopted from the savages the 
custom of slaveholding — first of Indian captives, and later of negroes brought from 
Louisiana.— Ed. 

2 Claude Jean Allouez came to Canada in 1658, and labored in the Western 
missions from 1665 until his death (Aug. 27, 1689). He founded the Jesuit mis- 
sions at Chequamegon Bay and Green Bay, and succeeded Marquette among the 
Illinois tribes ; at the time of his death, he was laboring with the Miamis on St. 
Joseph River.— Ed. 



632 A New Difcovery of 

only Chriftlans I have found amongfl: them, which I am fure 
cannot be fuch but in Fide Ecclefi^. 

Father Alloiiez lives now in a Village of the Miamis, Maf- 
koutens, and Ochiakenens, who have quitted their own Nation 
and Ancient Habitations, to confederate themfelves with the 
Iroquefe againft the Illinois; and for that purpofe they fent lafl: 
Summer an Embaffy into the Country of the Iroquefe, with a 
Letter of Father Allouez. The end of that Embaffy was, as 
I have faid, to oblige 'em to unite themfelves with them 
againft the Illinois ; and they were negotiating the Alliance, 
when I arriv'd at the Village of the Tfonnontouans ; and upon 
notice thereof, a Woman was fent to tell them to run away, 
for fear the Iroquefe fhould kill them. They had however no 
defign to do them any harm, as it appear'd afterwards; for 
the Iroquefe having overtaken the faid Ambaffadors, they were 
kindly us'd ; but they enter'd upon no Bufinefs, as long as I 
continu'd there. I met with one of the faid Ambaffadors 
fince that time in their own Country, who told me fuch hor- 
rid things, that I cannot entirely believe them ; and I rather 
fufpedt the Miamis to be Contrivers thereof. However, 
Father Allouez had no fooner intelligence that I was arriv'd 
at the Village of the [194] Illinois, than that they fent one 
Monfo, one of their Chiefs, with four large Kettles, twelve 
Axes, and twenty Knives, to perfuade the Illinois that I was 
Brother of the Iroquefe; that my Breath fmell'd like theirs; 
that I eat Serpents ; that I was fent to betray them, and 
attack them one way, while the Iroquefe fhould attack them 



feveral Countries in America. 633 

by another ; that I was hated by all the Black-Gowns^ who for- 
fook me becaufe I defign'd to deftroy the Miamis, having 
taken two of them Prifoners; and, laftly, that I underftood 
Phyfick enough to poyfon all the World. Their Suggeftions 
were fo ridiculous and fo falfe, that I had no great difficulty 
to convince the Illinois of the Malice of my Enemies ; and 
Monfo was in great danger of lofing his Life for his pains. 
They told him he had an Iroquefe Serpent under his Tongue, 
meaning his Bafenefs and Malice ; that his Comrades who 
had been Ambaffadors into their Country, had brought that 
Venom, and had breathed in the Malice of the Iroquefe in 
fmoaking in their Calumet. I was oblig'd to intercede for 
him, for elfe they would have murther'd him. 

'Tis certain, that their Defign is to engage Count Frontenac 
into a War with the Iroquefe ; and having tri'd in vain feveral 
Ways to fucceed, they think there is no better than to per- 
fuade the Nation of the Miamis, who are our Confederates, 
to fettle themfelves near the Illinois, and make an Alliance 
with them, infomuch that the Iroquefe cannot attack one 
Nation, without breaking with the other, and thereby oblige 
your Lordfhip either to forfake our Allies, or declare Wars 
againft the Iroquefe. This is not a rafh and groundlefs Judg- 
ment ; for thefe Miamis, with whom Father Allouez lives, have 
kill'd feveral Iroquefe this Winter ; and having cut the Fin- 
gers of another, they fent him back to tell their Nation that 
the Miamis are join'd with the Illinois againft them. Perhaps 
that Perfidioufnefs obliges [195] Father y^//o«^z to quit them 



634 A New Difcovery of 

next Spring, as I underftand he defigns to do. However, I 
am confident to ftop the Progrefs of this Cabal, if your 
Lordfhip comes this Year to weep for the Death of the Onon- 
take [Onondagas], who have been kill'd ; for the Illinois have 
promis'd me to releafe fome Slaves, and forbear their Ex- 
curfions againft the Iroquefe, who having been inform'd of 
my Good Offices, have exprefs'd a great Gratitude thereof. 
This Weeping is a common Ceremony among the Savages, 
when any of their Warriors have been kill'd. 

I do not wonder that the Iroqtiefe fhould talk of invading 
our Allies ; for they are every Year provok'd ; and I have 
feen at Miffilinaokinak, amongft the Poutouatamits and the 
Miamis, the Heads of feveral Iroqtiefe^ whom they have kill'd 
by Treachery, as they were a Hunting laft Spring. This is 
come to the Knowledge of the Iroquefe ; for our Allies have 
been fo impudent as to boaft of it ; and efpecially the Pou- 
touatamits, who dancing the Calumet at Mijfdinaokinak before 
three Agneiz, or Envoys of the Iroquefe, boafted of their 
Treachery, and held in their Hands feveral Heads of Hair 
of Iroquefe's. 

I cannot forbear to take notice of the Difcourfe I had 
with a Savage of the Nation of the Wolf, who being convinc'd 
of the Truth of the Chriftian Religion, and preffed by fome 
Miffionaries to embrace the Catholick, and by fome Englifh 
Minifters to embrace Theirs, was in great perplexity which 
of the two he fhould chufe ; for, as he told me, thefe Men 
are very unlike the Apoftles ; the former becaufe of their 
great Covetoufnefs, and the latter becaufe of their being 



feveral Countries in America. 635 

marri'd. But having obferv'd in the Recolle5ls both Chaftlty 
and the Contempt of the Riches of the World, he was Bap- 
tiz'd by them. 

I hav6 feen in this Country abundance of Green Parrots, 
bigger and finer than thofe of our Iflands. 



636 A New Difcovery of 



[196] A Difcovery of fome New Countries and Nations in 
the Northern America. By Father Marquette. 

ON the 13th of May, 1673, I embark'd with M. JoUet, 
who was chofen to be our Diredlor in this Undertak- 
ing, and five other French-men, in two Canows made of Barks 
of Trees, with fome Indian Corn and boil'd \_sc. smoked] Flefh 
for our Subfiftence. We had taken care to get from the Sav- 
ages all the Intelligence we could, concerning the Countries 
through which we defign'd to travel, and had drawn a Map 
of the fame, according to their Relation, in which we had 
mark'd the Rivers, and the Name of the Nations we were to 
meet, and the Rhombs of the Wind we were to make ufe of 
in our Journey. 

The firft Nation we met with, is call'd the Nation of the 
Wild-Oats'^: I went into their River to vifit that People, to 
whom we have preach'd the Gofpel for feveral Years, and 
amongft whom there are many good Chriftians. The Wild- 
Oats, from which they have got their Name, Is a fort of Corn 
which grows naturally in the fmall Rivers, the bottom whereof 
is Owzie,2 as alfo in marfhy Grounds. It is much like our 

^The Menominees, whose name means "wild-rice people" — so called because 
that grain {Zizania aquatica) is abundant in their country, and an important part of 
their food. They lived on the river which still bears their name ; it forms part of the 
boundary between Michigan and Wisconsin. — Ed. 

2That is, oozy, meaning " slimy " or " muddy." — Ed. 



feveral Countries in America. 637 

European Oats ; the Stem is knotted, and grows about two 
Foot above the Surface of the Water. The Corn is not big- 
ger than ours, but it is twice as long, and therefore it yields 
much more Meal. It grows above the Water in June^ and 
the Savages gather it about September in this [197] manner: 
They go in their Canows into thofe Rivers, and as they go 
they fhake the Ears of the Corn in their Canows, which eafily 
falls, if it be ripe : They dry it upon the Fire ; and when it is 
very dry, they put it into a kind of Sack made with the Skin 
of Beafts ; and having made a Hole in the Ground, they put 
their Sack therein, and tread on it till they fee the Chaff is 
feparated from the Corn, which they Winnow afterwards. 
They pound it in a Mortar to reduce it into Meal, or elfe 
boil it in Water, and feafon it with Greafe, which makes it 
near as good as our Rice. 

I acquainted that Nation with the Defign I had to travel 
farther into the Country, to difcover the remoteft Nations, 
and teach them the Myfteries of our Holy Religion ; at which 
they were mightily furpriz'd, and did their utmoft to diffwade 
me from that Enterprize. They told me that I fhould meet 
fome Nations who fpare no Strangers, whom they kill without 
any Provocation or Mercy ; that the War thofe different 
Nations had one with the other, fhould daily expofe me to 
be taken by their Warriors, who are perpetually abroad to 
furprize their Enemies : That the great River was exceed- 
ingly dangerous, and full of dreadful Monfters, who devour'd 
Men, and even the Canows themfelves. They added. That a 
Devil ftopp'd the Paffage of the faid River, and funk thofe 



638 A New Difcovery of 

who were fo bold as to come near the place where he ftood ; 
and, in fhort, that the Heat was fo exceflive in thofe Parts, 
that we fhould never be able to preferve our Health. 

I return'd them my hearty Thanks for their good Ad- 
vices ; but told them I would not follow them, fince the 
Salvation of a great many Souls were concern'd in our 
Undertaking, for whom I fhould be glad to lofe my Life. 
I added, That I laugh'd at their pretended Devils and Mon- 
fters, and that their [198] Informations would oblige us to 
ftand the more upon our Guard to avoid any Surprize. 
And fo having pray'd to God with them, and given them 
fome Inftrudlions, we parted from them, and arriv'd at the 
Bay of Puans [Green Bay], where our Fathers make a con- 
fiderable Progrefs towards the Converfion of thofe Ignorant 
Nations. 

The Name of this Bay founds better in the Language of 
the Savages than in ours ; for according to the Word they 
make ufe of, one may call it as well the Salted Bay, as the 
Stinking Bay; for they call the Sea after the fame Name. 
This oblig'd us to enquire whether there were in that 
Country any Salt Springs, as there is one among the Iroquefe; 
but we could find none ; and therefore we think that this 
Name was given to this Bay, becaufe of the great quantity of 
Mud and Owze that is there, from whence fuch Vapours 
arife, that occafion the moft dreadful Thunders that ever I 
heard in any Country. 

This Bay is about thirty Leagues long, and about eight 



feveral Countries in America. 639 

broad, that is to fay in its greateft breadth ; for it grows nar- 
rower, and forms a Cone at the extremity ; where one may 
eafily obferve, that this Bay has its fetled Tides juft as the 
Sea. This is not a proper place to enquire whether the Flow- 
ing and Ebbing of the Water of this Bay, may be properly 
call'd a Tide, or whether they are occafion'd by the Winds, 
which never, or very feldom fail to blow from the fame Point 
upon the Moon's afcending our Horizon ; but this I may fay, 
That in the greateft Calm, the Waters in this Bay flow and 
ebb according to the Motion of the Moon ; though I will 
not deny but that the Winds, which move the Waters towards 
the middle of the Lake, may contribute to this effedl.^ 

We left this Bay to go into a River that difcharges it 
felf therein; and found its Mouth very [199] broad and 
deep. It flows very gently ; but after we had advanc'd 
fome Leagues into it, we faw it was interrupted by feveral 
Rocks and rapid Streams ; and fo fhallow in fome places, 
that it would hardly bear our Canows. The bottom is full 
of Flints, which are as fo many Razors that cut the Canows, 
and made it impofTible for our Men to walk therein, to 
make the Canows more light, when the fhallownefs of the 
Water did not permit us to row away.^ It is full of Buftard, 
Ducks, and Teals, becaufe of the Wild Oats in the Marlhes 
thereabouts. However, we conquer'd thofe Difficulties, and 



^ See the observations made by the Jesuit Louis Andre upon these tides [Jes. 
Relations, Ivi, pp. 137-139 ; Ivii, 301-305 ; Ix, 205-207). — Ed. 

2 The (Lower) Fox River of Wisconsin, the outlet of Lake Winnebago. — Ed. 



640 A New Difcovery of 

came to an Habitation of the Miamis, Maskoutens^ and Kika- 
beux^; but before we arriv'd at the Village, I had the Curi- 
ofity to tafte the Mineral Water of a River near it, and 
found a Simple of a wonderful Virtue againft the Venom of 
the Serpents. A Savage who knew it, had fhown it to Father 
Allouez^ who had often occafion to try its Virtues, God hav- 
ing been pleafed to provide that Country with that wonder- 
ful Antidote againft the Serpents, who are very dangerous 
in thofe Parts. The Root of that Simple is very hot, and 
taftes like Gunpowder ; they chew it, and apply it to the 
Part of the Body ftung by the Serpents ; and this without 
any other Myftery cures the Wound ; and the Serpents have 
fuch an Antipathy againft the Herb, that they run away from 
any Man who has rubb'd his Body with the fame. It pro- 
duces feveral Stalks about a foot high ; the Leaves are fome- 
what long ; the Flower is white, and the whole looks like 
our Gilliflowers. I took one into our Canow, the better to 
examine it. 

This Bay of Puans had been hitherto, as one may fay, 
the Ultima Thulce of the French^ for they never durft advance 
further into the Country. This Village, as I have intimated, 
confifts of three feveral Nations, viz. Miamis, Maskoutens, 
and Kikabeux [Kickapoos]. The firft are more civil than 
the other, and better [200] ftiap'd, as well as more liberal. 
They wear long Hair over their Ears, which looks well 



^ The site of this Indian village cannot be identified, further than to locate it on 
the Upper Fox River, above Lake Winnebago — probably in Green Lake County. 
See discussion of the subject in Jes. Relations, liv, p. 308 ; and fVis. Hist. Colls., xvi, 
p. 42, note 1. — Ed. 



feveral Countries in America. 641 

enough. They are accounted valiant Men amongft their 
Neighbours ; but are fo cunning, that they feldom return 
from their warlike Expeditions without Booty. They are 
apt to learn any thing, for they love to hear the European's 
Talk ; and Father Alloiiez told me, That they had fuch a 
violent defire to be inftruded, that they often difturb'd his 
Reft to ask him Queftions about what he had told them the 
Day before. The Maskoutens and Kikabeux are more Clown- 
ifti ; and there is as much difference between the Miamis and 
them, as between our Boors and Citizens. As the Rind of 
Birch-Trees are fcarce in this Country, they are oblig'd to 
make their Cabins with Rufhes, which ferve as well for 
covering the fame, as for Walls. It muft be own'd that 
thefe Cabins are very convenient; for they take them down 
when they pleafe, and carry them by fmall Parcels where- 
ever they will, without any trouble. 

When I arriv'd there, I was very glad to fee a great 
Crofs fet up in the middle of the Village, adorn'd with fev- 
eral White Skins, Red Girdles, Bows and Arrows, which 
that good People had offer'd to the Great Manitou, to re- 
turn him their Thanks for the care he had taken of them 
during the Winter, and that he had granted them a prof- 
perous Hunting. Manitou is the Name they give in general 
to all Spirits whom they think to be above the Nature of 
Man.i 

Their Village is fituated on a Hill, from whence one may 

^The cross had to these savages a symbolic meaning, long before they saw white 
men. See W. J. Hoffman's explanation of its use by the Medicine society among 
the Menominees, in U. S. Bur. Ethnol. Rep., 1885-86, p. 155.— Ed. 
11-19 



642 A New Difcovery of 

difcover the largeft Meadows in the World, adorn'd at 
certain diftance with Groves and Woods. The Soil is very 
fertile, and produces a great quantity of Indian Corn. They 
preferve alfo Plums and Grapes. 

[201] As foon as we were arriv'd, M. JoUet and I defir'd 
the Eldeft of the Savages to meet us, and I told them that 
M. JoUet was fent by the Governor of Canada to difcover 
new Countries, and I from God Almighty to teach them the 
Knowledge of their Creator, who being abfolute Mafter of 
all his Creatures, will have all Nations to know him ; and 
that therefore to comply with his Will, I did not value my 
Life, which I freely expos'd to all manner of Dangers ; Con- 
cluding, That we wanted two Guides to put us in our Way, 
which we defir'd them to grant us. We enforc'd our Com- 
pliment with fome Prefents that were kindly accepted by the 
Savages ; who anfwer'd us likewife with a Prefent, viz. a Maty 
which was our Bed during our Voyage. They granted us 
alfo two Guides, to accompany us for fome Days. The next 
Day, being the loth of June^ the two Miamis who were to 
condud us, imbark'd with us in fight of all the Inhabitants 
of the Village, who could not admire enough that feven 
Europeans fhould venture upon fo dangerous and extraor- 
dinary an Undertaking. 

We were inform'd, that within three Leagues of the 
Maskoiitens^ there was a River which runs into the *Henepin ca.\h 
*MiJfiJ[ipi, and that we were to go diredly to the '* Mefchafipi. 
Weft-South- Weft, to find it ; but there are fo many MorafTes 
and Lakes between it, that had it not been for our Guide, 



feveral Countries in America. 643 

we had never been able to find it ; and the River upon which 
we row'd, to find the Place we were to Land and carry our 
Canow into the other, was fo full of Wild-Oats, that it lookt 
rather like a Corn-Field than a River ; infomuch that we 
cou'd hardly difcover its Channel. As the Miamis frequented 
this Place, they conducted us to the ufual Place of Portage, 
and help'd us to carry our Canow over-land into the other 
River, diftant from the former about two Miles and a half^; 
from [202] whence they return'd home, leaving us in an 
unknown Country, having nothing to rely upon but the 
Divine Providence. We made a Solemn Vow in this place, 
and refolv'd to ufe fome particular Prayers every Day to the 
Bleffed Virgin, to recommend our Perfons and Enterprize 
to her Protedion, and afterwards embark'd. 

This River is call'd Mefconfin [Wisconsin] : It is very 
broad, but the Sands make its Navigation difficult ; and this 
Difficulty is increas'd by an infinite Number of Iflands cover'd 
with Vines. The Country through which it flows is very fine; 
the Groves difpos'd at certain Difbances in the Meadows, 
make a noble Profped ; and the Fruit of the Trees difcovers 
the Fertility of the Soil. Thofe Groves are full of Wallnut- 
Trees, as alfo of Oaks, and of another fort of Trees un- 
known to us in Europe, the Boughs whereof are arm'd with 
long Thorns. We faw no other Game in thefe Meadows but 
abundance of Wild-Goats, and Wild-Bulls. Within thirty 
Leagues of this Place where we embark'd, we found fome 
Iron-Mines ; and one of our Company, who had formerly 

^The Fox-Wisconsin portage (see p. 306, note i, ante). — Ed. 



644 A New Difcovery of 

feen fuch Mines, told us that thefe were extraordinary good: 
They are not above three Foot deep, and are fituate near a 
Row of Rocks, the Foot whereof is coverM with fine Woods. 
After having row'd ten Leagues further, that is, forty 
Leagues in all from the Place where we embark'd, we came 
into the MiJJiJfipi on the 17th of June. The Mouth of the 
Mefconfin is about forty two Degrees and a half of Latitude. 
The Satisfa6lion I had to fee this famous River, is almoft 
incredible ; for though the Savages had often fpoken of it 
to our Men, none of them had been fo bold as to venture fo 
far in this unknown Country. This oblig'd me to confider 
this River with a greater Attention than otherwife I wou'd 
have done, as the Reader will perceive in perufing the follow- 
ing Account. 

[203] The Mijfijfipi is form'd by feveral Lakes in the 
North-Country, from whence it runs to the South. Its 
Channel is pretty narrow at the Mouth of the Mefconfin^ 
being flreighten'd by a Row of high Mountains on the 
other fide ; but however its Stream is very gentle, becaufe of 
its depth ; for we found there nineteen Fathom Water. But 
a little below that Place, it enlarges it felf, and is about three 
quarters of a League broad. Its Banks are very fine ; but 
three Days after, we difcover'd a much better Country. 
The Trees are higher, and the Iflands fo beautiful, that I 
verily believe there is nothing like it in the World. The 
Meadows are cover'd with an infinite number of Wild-Goats 
and Bulls, and the River with Buftards and Swans without 
Wings, becaufe their Feathers fall in this Country about that 



feveral Countries in America. 645 

time. We faw extraordinary Fifhes, and one of them was fo 
big, that our Canow was like to be broke into Pieces, 
becaufe it run againft it. We faw alfo a very hideous Sea- 
Monfter; his Head was like that of a Tyger ; but his Nofe 
was fomewhat (harper, and like a Wild-Cat; his Beard was 
long, his Ears flood upright, the Colour of his Head being 
Grey, and the Neck Black. He look'd upon us for fome 
time ; but as we came near him, our Oars frighted him 
away : This is the only one we faw.^ We caught abundance 
of Sturgeons, and another fort of Fifh fomewhat like our 
Trouts, except that their Eyes and Nofe are much leffer, 
and that they have near the Nofe a Bone like a Woman's 
Busk, three Inches broad, and a Foot and a half long, the 
End whereof is flat and very broad, infomuch that when they 
leap out of the Water, the Weight of that Bone makes them 
fall backwards. We faw alfo abundance of Turky-Cocks on 
the Banks of the River. 

[204] The PifikiouSy which we call Wild-Bulls, are not 
much unlike ours ; they are not altogether fo long, but twice 
as big : We fhot one of them, and thirteen Men had much 
ado to drag him from the Place where he fell. Their Head 
is of a prodigious bignefs, their Forehead broad and flat, 
and their Horns (between which there is at leaft a Foot and 
a half diftance) are all black, and much longer than thofe of 
our European Cattle. They have a Bump on the Back; and 
their Head, Breaft, and part of the Shoulders, are cover'd 



1 Probably a panther. The fish here described is the spade-fish (p. 219, notei, 
ante). — Ed. 



646 A New Difcovery of 

with long Hair. They have in the middle of their Forehead 
an ugly Tuff of long Hair, which falling down over their 
Eyes, blinds them in a manner, and makes them look dread- 
ful. The reft of the Body is cover'd with curl'd Hair, or 
rather WooU, like our Sheep, but much thicker and ruffer. 
Their Hair falls in Summer-time, and then their Skin is as 
foft as Velvet, nothing remaining but a kind of fhort Down. 
The Savages make ufe of their Skins for Gowns, which they 
paint with feveral Colours. Their Flefti and Fat is excellent, 
and the beft Difh of the Savages, who deftroy abundance of 
them, though they are very fierce and dangerous; and if 
they can but take a Man with their Horns, they tofs him 
up, and then tread upon him. The Savages hide themfelves 
when they have fhot at them, for elfe they fhou'd be in 
great danger of their Lives, thofe Beafts being fiercer when 
wounded ; they follow them at certain diftances, till they 
have loft fo much Blood as to be unable to do them any 
hurt, or to defend themfelves. They Graze upon the Banks 
of the River ; and I have feen above four hundred together.^ 
We continu'd to fall down the River, having feen nothing 
for above a hundred Leagues, but Beafts and Birds ; how- 
ever, we were always upon our Guard, and efpecially during 
the Night, for [205] fear of any Surprize. We landed in 
the Evening to drefs our Supper, and made but a little Fire, 
and then left the Shore, cafting an Anchor near the middle 



^Regarding the bison (usually known as buffalo), see monographs in U. S. Geol. 
and Geog. Survey of the Territories, Ann. Rep., 1875, pp. 443-587; and Smith' 
sonian Inst. Rep., 1887, pt. 2, pp. 367-548. — Ed. 



feveral Countries in America. 647 

of the River, where we lay, as the fafeft Place, and yet one 
of us watch'd always by turns. On the 25th of June we 
went a-fhore, and found fome frefh Traces of Men upon the 
Sand, and then found a Path which led into a Meadow. We 
call'd our Men together, and it was refolv'd that our Men 
fhou'd continue in the Canows, while M. Joliet and I fhou'd 
follow that Path, and endeavour to find the Habitation of 
the Savages. This Undertaking was very bold, yet relying 
upon God Almighty, we went on, and within ten Leagues 
from thence, difcover'd a Village on the Banks of a River, 
and two other Villages on a Hill within half a League from 
the former. Having again implor'd God's Protection, we 
advanc'd fo near to the Savages, that we cou'd hear them 
talk, and therefore thought it was time to give them notice 
of our Arrival, which we did with a loud Cry, and then 
ftopp'd. The Savages immediately came out of their Cabins, 
and feeing but two Men, they were not frighted, and efpe- 
cially becaufe we had acquainted them by our Cry, with our 
Approach ; therefore they fent four of their Old Men to talk 
to us, and fee who we were, and what Bufinefs we came 
upon. They carri'd two Pipes adorn'd with Feathers of 
feveral Colours, which they prefented to the Sun, without 
fpeaking a Word. They march'd fo (lowly, that we began 
to be impatient; and when they came near us, they ftopp'd, 
and us'd many Ceremonies. We were very glad to fee them 
cover'd with Cloth, for thereby we judg'd they were either 
our Allies, or Friends of our Allies ; and therefore I fpoke 
to them, and ask'd them who they were? They anfwer'd, 



648 A New Difcovery of 

That they were Illinois^ and [206] prefented us their Pipe to 
fmoak, defiring us alfo to walk to their Habitations. Thofe 
Pipes are call'd both by the Savages and Europeans^ Calumets ; 
and therefore I fhall make ufe of their Word for the future, 
having often occafion to mention thefe Pipes. 

They conduced us to a Cabin, where an Old Man waited 
for us, in a very extraordinary Pofture, which, as I underftand 
fince, is the ufual Ceremony they ufe for the Reception of 
Strangers. This Man flood before the Cabin, having both 
his Hands lifted up to Heaven, oppofite to the Sun, info- 
much that it darted its Rays through his Fingers, upon his 
Face ; and when we came near him, he told us. What a fair 
Day this is ftnce thou comeft to vifit us ! All our People wait for 
thee, and thou /halt enter our Cabin in Peace, Having repeated 
the Compliment to M. Joliet, he conduced us into his Cabin, 
where abundance of People croweded to fee us, keeping 
however a great Silence, that we heard nothing a great while, 
but now and then thefe Words, Tou have done well, Brothers^ 
to come and fee us. 

As foon as we fat down, they prefented us, according to 
Cuftom, their Calumet, which one muft needs accept, for elfe 
he fhou'd be lookt upon as an open Enemy, or a meer Brute; 
however, it is not neceffary to fmoak ; and provided one puts 
it to his Mouth, it is enough. While the Old Man fmoak'd 
in our Cabin to entertain us, the Great Captain of the Illinois 
fent us word to come to his Village, where he defign'd to 
confer with us ; and accordingly we went to him, being 
attended by all the Inhabitants of this Village, who having 



feveral Countries in America. 649 

never feen any Europeans before, accompani'd us all the Way. 
We met that Captain at the Door of his Cabin, in the middle 
of Ten Old Men ; all of them were^ftanding, and each had 
his Calumet [207] towards the Sun. He made us a fhort 
Speech, to congratulate our happy Arrival in that Country; 
and prefented us his Calumet^ wherein we were oblig'd to 
fmoak before'we went into his Cabin. 

This Ceremony being over, he conducted us, and defir'd 
us to fit down upon a Mat, and the Old Men of that Nation 
being prefent, I thought fit to acquaint them with the Sub- 
je6t of our Voyage, and therefore I told them, i. That we 
defign'd to vifit all Nations that were on that River, down 
to the Sea. 2. That God Almighty, their Creator, took pity 
on them, and had fent me to bring them to the Knowledge 
of his Being, and therefore expeded a full Submiflion from 
them. 3. That the Great Captain of the French had com- 
manded me to tell them, that he had fubdu'd the Iroquefe, 
and wou'd have every Body to live in Peace. 4. We defir'd 
them to tell us whatever they knew concerning the Nations 
we were to meet along the River. We enforc'd every Point 
of our Speech with a Prefent, and then fate down. The 
Captain of the Illinois anfwer'd, That he was very glad to 
hear of the great A6tions of our Captain, meaning the Gov- 
ernor of Canada, and defir'd us to remain amongft them, 
becaufe of the great Dangers to which we fhou'd be expos'd 
in continuing our Voyage ; but I told them that we did not 
fear to lofe our Lives for the Glory of God ; at which they 
were mightily furpriz'd. He prefented us with a Calumet, 



650 A New Difcovery of 

the moft myfterlous thing in the World ; of which I fhall give 
an Account in another Place. 

The Council being over, we were invited to a Feaft, 
which we were oblig'd to accept. The firft Mefs was a Difli 
of Sagamittee, that is, fome Meal of Indian Corn boil'd with 
Water, and feafon'd with Greafe : The Mafter of Ceremonies 
holding [208] a kind of Spoon-full of that Sagamittee^ put 
fome thrice into my Mouth, and then did the like to M. 
Joliet. They brought for a Second Courfe, three Fifhes in 
a Difh, whereof he took a Piece, and having took out the 
Bones, and blown upon it to cool it, he put it into my 
Mouth, juft as a Bird feeds his young ones. The Third 
Service was a huge:Dog, whom they kill'd on purpofe ; but 
underftanding that we eat no fuch Creatures ; they brought 
a Piece of Beef, and ferv'd us as before. 

As foon as we had done, we went to vifit the Village, 
which confifts of near three hundred Cabins, being attended 
by an Officer, to oblige the Savages to make room, and not 
crowd upon us. They prefented us with Girdles and Gar- 
ters, and fome other Works made of the Hair of Bears and 
Bulls. We lay in the Cabin of the Captain, and the next 
Day took our Leave of him, promifing to return in Four 
Moons.^ They conducted us as far as our Canows, with 
near eight hundred Perfons, who exprefs'd an extraordinary 
Joy for our kind Vifit, as they call'd it. 

It will not be improper to relate here what I obferv'd of 
the Cuflom and Manners of this People, which are very 

* That is, four months ; for the Indians reckon time by the moon's revolutions. — Ed. 



feveral Countries in America. 651 

different from what is pradis'd among the other Nations of 
the Northern-America. 

The Word Illinois in their Language fignifies Men^ as if 
they did look upon the other Savages as Beafts ; and truly it 
muft be confefs'd that they are not altogether in the Wrong, 
for they have more Humanity than all the other Nations that 
I have feen in America. The fhort time I remain'd with them, 
did not permit me to inform my felf, as much as I defir'd, of 
their Cuftoms and Manners ; but here is what I was able to 
obferve ; They are divided into feveral Villages, whereof fome 
are very remote [209] from thofe that I have feen. They 
call them Perouarca [sc. Peouarea] ; but as they live fo far 
one from the other, their Language is alfo very different. 
However, it is a Dialed: of the Algonquin, and therefore we 
were able to underftand what they faid, and to converfe 
with them. They are good-natur'd Men, tradable and eafy : 
They keep feveral Wives, and yet they are exceedingly 
jealous: They obferve with great Care their Behaviour; and 
if they find them in any Fault as to their Chaftity, they cut 
off their Nofes and Ears ; and I faw feveral who carry'd upon 
their Faces the Marks of their Infidelity. The Illinois are 
very well ffiap'd, and very dextrous : They are good Marks- 
men with their Arrows and fmall Guns, with which they are 
fupply'd by the Savages that have Commerce with the Euro- 
peans. This makes them formidable to the other Nations 
inhabiting to the Weftward, who have no Fire-Arms. The 
Illinois knowing how much they are frighted at the Noife 
of their Guns, make Excurfions very far to the Weflward, 



652 A New Dlfcovery of 

and bring Slaves from thence, which they barter with other 
Nations for the Commodities they want. Thofe Nations are 
altogether ignorant of Iron Tools ; and their Knives, Axes, 
and other Inftruments, are made of Flints, and other fharp 
Stones. 

When the Illinois go upon any Expedition, the whole Vil- 
lage muft have notice of it ; and therefore they ufe to make 
an Out-cry at the Door of their Huts the Evening before 
they go, and the Morning they are to fet out. Their Cap- 
tains are diftinguifh'd from the Soldiers by Red Scarfs, made 
with the Hair of Bears or Wild Bulls, that are curioufly 
wrought. They have abundance of Game ; and their Soil is 
fo fertile, that their Indian Corn never fails, and therefore 
they never labour under Famine. They fow Beans and Mel- 
ons, which are excellent, and efpecially thofe whofe Seed is 
Red. They [210] greatly efl:eem their Citruls, though they 
are none of the beft. They dry them up, and keep them till 
the Winter and Spring. Their Cabins are very large ; they 
are made, cover'd, and pav'd with Mats of Marifh-Rufhes. 
Their Difhes are of Wood ; but their Spoons are made of 
the Bones of the Skull of Wild-Oxen, which they cut fo as to 
make them very convenient to eat their Sagamittce. They have 
Phyficians amongft them, towards whom they are very liberal 
when they are Tick, thinking that the Operation of the Rem- 
edies they take, is proportionable to the Prefents they make 
unto thofe who have prefcrib'd them. They have no other 
Clothes but Skins of Beafts, which ferve to cover their 



feveral Countries in America. 653 

Women ; for the Men go moft of the Year ftark-naked. I 
don't know by what Superftition fome of the Illinois and 
Nadoiiejfians wear Womens Apparel. When they have taken 
the fame, which they do in their Youth, they never leave it 
off; and certainly there muft be fome Myftery in this Matter, 
for they never Marry, and work in the Cabins with Women, 
which other Men think below them to do. They may go 
however to their Wars, but they muft ufe only a Club, and 
not Bows and Arrows, which are fit, as they fay, for Men 
alone. They affift at all the Superftitions of their Jiiglers, and 
their folemn Dances in honour of the Calumet, in which they 
may fing, but it is not lawful for them to dance. They are 
call'd to their Councils, and nothing is determin'd without 
their Advice ; for, becaufe of their extraordinary way of 
Living, they are look'd upon as Manitous, or at leaft for 
great and incomparable Genius's,^ 

I muft fpeak here of the Calumet, the moft myfterious 
thing in the World. The Scepters of our Kings are not fo 
much refpedled ; for the Savages have fuch a Deference for 
this Pipe, that one may call it. The God of Peace and War, 
and the Arbiter of [211] Life and Death. One, with this 
Calumet, may venture amongft his Enemies, and in the hotteft 
Engagement they lay down their Arms before this Sacred 
Pipe. The Illinois prefented me with one of them, which 
was very ufeful to us in our Voyage. Their Calumet of Peace 
is different from the Calumet of War ; They make ufe of the 

^ See p. 168, note i, ante. — Ed. 



654 A New Difcovery of 

former to feal their Alliances and Treaties, to travel with 
fafety, and receive Strangers ; and the other Is to proclaim 
War. 

It is made of a Red Stone like our Marble^; the Head 
is like our common Tobacco-Pipes, but larger; and it is fixt 
to a hollow Reed, to hold it for fmoaking. They adorn it 
with fine Feathers of feveral Colours; and they call it, The 
Calumet of the Sun, to whom they prefent it, efpecially when 
they want fair Weather or Rain, thinking that that Planet 
can have no lefs refpedl for it than Men have, and therefore 
that they fhall obtain their Defires. They dare not wafh 
themfelves in Rivers in the beginning of the Summer, or 
tafte the new Fruit of Trees, before they have danc'd the 
Calumet, which they do in the following manner: 

This Dance of the Calumet is a folemn Ceremony amongfl: 
the Savages, which they perform upon important Occafions, 
as to confirm an Alliance, or make Peace with their Neigh- 
bours. They ufe it alfo to entertain any Nation that comes 
to vifit them ; and in this Cafe we may confider it as their 
Balls. They perform it in Winter-time in their Cabins, and 
in the open Field in the Summer. They chufe for that pur- 
pofe a fet Place among Trees, to fhelter themfelves againft 
the Heat of the Sun, and lay in the middle a large Matt, as 
a Carpet, to lay upon [it] the God of the Chief of the 



^ This red stone was that now known as "catlinite," thus named for George 
Catlin, the artist, who was the first to describe (1836) the place from which the Indians 
obtained it. This is the noted Pipestone Quarry, in Pipestone county, in the south- 
western corner of Minnesota. See Jes. Relations, lix, p. 310. — Ed. 



feveral Countries in America. 655 

Company, who gave the Ball ; for every one has his peculiar 
God, whom they call Manitoa [jf. Manitou]. It is fometime 
a Stone, a Bird, a Serpent, or any thing elfe that they dream 
of in [212] their Sleep; for they think this Manitoa will 
fupply their Wants, by Fifhing, Hunting, and other Enter- 
prizes. To the Right of thoir Manitoa they place the Calumet^ 
their Great Deity, making round about it a kind of Trophy 
with their Arms, viz. their Clubs, Axes, Bows, Quivers, and 
Arrows. 

Things being thus difpos'd, and the Hour of Dancing 
coming on, thofe who are to fing, take the moft Honourable 
Seats under the Shadow of the Trees, or the Green Arbours 
they make in cafe the Trees be not thick enough to fhadow 
them. They chufe for this Service the beft Wits amongft 
them, either Men or Women. Every Body fits down after- 
wards, round about, as they come, having firft of all faluted 
the Manitoa^ which they do in blowing the Smoak of their 
Tobacco upon it, which is as much as offering to it Frank- 
incenfe. Every Body, one after another, takes the Calumet^ 
and holding it with his two Hands, dances with it, following 
the Cadence of the Songs. This Preludium being over, he 
who is to begin the Dance, appears in the middle of the 
Affembly, and having taken the Calumet, prefents It to the 
Sun, as if he wou'd invite him to fmoke. Then he moves it 
into an infinite number of Poftures, fometimes laying it near 
the Ground, then ftretching its Wings, as if he wou'd make 
it fly, and then prefents it to the Spedators, who fmoke with 



656 A New Difcovery of 

it one after another, dancing all the while. This is the firft 
Scene of this famous Ball. 

The Second is a Fight, with Vocal and Inftrumental 
Mufick; for they have a kind of Drum, which agrees pretty 
well with the Voices. The Perfon who dances with the 
Calumet, gives a Signal to one of their Warriours, who takes 
a Bow and Arrows, with an Ax, from the Trophy already 
[213] mention'd, and fights the other, who defends himfelf 
with the Calum.et alone, both of them dancing all the while. 
The Fight being over, he who holds the Calumet, makes a 
Speech, wherein he gives an Account of the Battels he has 
fought, and the Prifoners he has taken, and then receives 
a Gown, or any other Prefent, from the Chief of the Ball. 
He gives then the Calumet to another, who having aded his 
Part, gives it to another, and fo of all others, till the Calumet 
returns to the Captain, who prefents it to the Nation invited 
unto that Feaft, as a Mark of their Friendfhip, and a Con- 
firmation of their Alliance. I can't pretend to be fo much 
Mafter of their Language as to judge of their Songs, but 
methinks they are very witty. ' 

We parted from the Illinois towards the middle of June, 
about Three a-clock, and fell down the River, looking for 
another call'd Pekitanoiii,^ which runs from the North-Weft 
into the MiJJiJJipi, of which I fhall fpeak anon. As we fol- 
low'd the Banks, I obferv'd on a Rock a Simple, which I 
take to be very extraordinary. Its Root is like fmall Tur- 
nips link'd together by fome Fibres of the fame Root, which 

1 One of the early names of the Missouri River. — Ed. 



feveral Countries in America. 657 

taftes like Carrots. From that Root fprings a Leaf as large 
as one's Hand, and about an Inch thick, with fome Spots in 
the middle ; from whence fpring alfo fome other Leaves, each 
of them bearing five or fix yellow Flowers, like little Bells. 

We found abundance of Mulberries as good and as big 
as ours ; and another Fruit which we took at firft for Olives, 
but it taftes like Orange. We found another Fruit as big as 
an Egg, and having cut it into two Pieces, we found the in- 
fide was divided into fixteen, eighteen, and twenty fmall Cells 
or Holes, and in each of them a Fruit like our Almonds, 
which is very fweet, though the Tree fliinks : Its Leaves are 
like our Walnut-Trees. We [214] faw alfo in the Meadows 
a Fruit like our Filbirds [Filberts] : The Tree which bears it 
has its Leaves much broader than ours ; and at the End of 
the Branches there is a kind of a Purfe like a Turnbole, in 
which the Filbirds are lock'd up.^ 

Along the Rocks I have mention'd, we found one very 
high and fl:eep, and faw two Monfters painted upon it, which 
are fo hideous, that we were frighted at the firft Sight, and 
the boldeft Savages dare not fix their Eyes upon them. They 
are drawn as big as a Calf, with two Horns like a Wild-Goat ; 
Their Looks are terrible, though their Face has fomething 
of Human Figure in it : Their Eyes are Red, their Beard is 
like that of a Tyger, and their Body is cover'd with Scales. 
Their Tail is fo long that it goes o'er their Heads, and then 

t ^B. F. French (in Shea's Discovery of the Mississippi Valley, p. 38), identifies 
these fruits as Cactus opuntia, Diospyros 'virginiana (persimmon), and Castanea 
pumila (chincapin). 

" Turnboie " is a misprint for " turnsole " {Fr. iournesol), the sunflower. — Ed. 
11-20 



658 A New Difcovery of 

turns between their Fore-Legs under the Belly, ending like 
a Fifh-Tail. There are but three Colours, 'viz. Red, Green, 
and Black ; but thofe Monfters are fo well drawn, that I can- 
not believe that the Savages did it ; and the Rock whereon 
they are painted is fo fteep, that it is a Wonder to me how 
it was poffible to draw thofe Figures : But to know to what 
purpofe they were made, is as great a Myftery. Whatever 
it be, our befl Painters wou'd hardly do better. 

As we fell down the River, following the gentle Stream 
of the Waters, and difcourfing concerning thofe Monfters, 
we heard a great Noife of Waters, and faw feveral Pieces of 
Timber, and fmall floating Iflands, which were hudled down 
the River Pekitanoiii. The Waters of this River are fo muddy, 
becaufe of the violence of its Stream, that it is impoflible to 
drink of it, and they fpoil the Clearnefs of the MiJJiffipi, and 
make its Navigation very dangerous in this Place. This 
River runs from the North- Weft; and I hope to difcover, in 
following its Channel towards its Source, [215] fome other 
River that difcharges it felf into the Mar Marvejo [i. e., 
Bermejo, or Vermejo], or the Caliphornian-Gulph. The Sav- 
ages told me. That about fix Days Journey from its Mouth, 
there is a Meadow of thirty Leagues broad, at the end 
whereof, dire6lly to the North-Weft, is a fmall River, which 
is almoft navigable for Canows, and runs to the South-Weft 
into a Lake, from which fprings a deep River, which runs 
diredlly Weftward into the Sea, which certainly muft be the 
Mar Fermejo; and I hope I fhall have, one time or other, the 
opportunity to undertake that Difcovery, to inftrud thofe 



feveral Countries in America. 659 

poor Nations who have been fo long ignorant of their Crea- 
tor. But leaving this Digreflion, I return to the Mijfijfipi. 

About 20 Leagues lower than the Pekitanotii, we met 
another River call'd Oiiabouskigoti, which runs into the Mif- 
/ijjipi, in the Latitude of 36 degrees ; but before we arriv'd 
there, we pafs'd through a moft formidable Place to the Sav- 
ages, who believe that a Manitoa, or Devil, refides in that 
Place, to deftroy fuch who are fo bold as to come near it. 
They told us dreadful Stories to deter us from our Under- 
taking ; but this terrible Manitoa proves nothing but fome 
Rocks in a turning of the River, about thirty foot high, 
againft whom the Stream runs with a great violence; and 
being beaten back by the Rocks and Ifland near it, the 
Waters make a great noife, and flow with a great rapidity 
through a narrow Canal, which is certainly very dangerous 
to unskilful Canow-men. This River Ouabouskigou comes 
from the Eaftward ; the Chiioanous^ inhabit its Banks, and 
are fo numerous, that I have been inform'd there are thirty 
eight Villages of that Nation fituated on this River. This 
People is much infefted by the Iroquefe, who make a cruel 
War upon them without any Provocation, but only becaufe 
they are [216] a poor harmlefs Nation, unacquainted with 
any Arms. They take them without any refiftance, and 
carry them into Slavery. 

A little above the Mouth of the River, we faw fome 



^ A misprint for Chouanons (Shawnees). The river here mentioned was the Ohio, 
often called by early French explorers Ouabache, which is apparently a corruption of 
the Indian name given in the text. — Ed. 



66o A New Difcovery of 

Downs, wherein our Men difcover'd a good Iron-Mine: 
They faw feveral Veins of it, and a Lay of about a foot thick. 
There is alfo a great quantity of it adhering to the Flints, 
fome of which they brought into our Canow. There is alfo 
a kind of fat Earth of three different Colours, viz. Purple, 
Violet, and Red, which turns the Water into a deep Blood- 
colour. We found alfo a red Sand very heavy : I put fome 
upon my Oar, which Immediately became red ; and the 
Waters could not wafh it away for a Fortnight together. 
We had feen no Reeds or Canes ; but they begin to be fo 
thick in this Place, that Wild Bulls can hardly go through 
them. They grow very high and big, and their Knots are 
crown'd with feveral Leaves long and fharp, the greennefs 
whereof is incomparable. 

We had not been troubled hitherto with Gnats, but they 
began to be very troublefome to us a little lower in the 
Oiiabouskigou. The Savages who inhabit this Country are 
oblig'd to build their Huts in a different manner from the 
other, becaufe of thofe troublefome Flies. They drive into 
the Ground big Poles, very near one another, which fupport 
a large Hurdle, which ferves them Inftead of a Floor, under 
which they make their Fire ; and the Smoak drives away 
thofe Creatures, who cannot abide it. They lay upon that 
Hurdle, the Roof whereof is cover'd with Skins againft the 
Rain, and ferves alfo to fhelter them againft the Heat of the 
Sun. The fame Reafon oblig'd us to make a Cabin over 
our Canow. 

[217] As we were confidering the Country, the Banks of 



feveral Countries in America. 66 1 

the River being very low, we difcover'd feveral Savages arm'd 
with Fire-Arms, waiting for us upon the Shoar, where the 
Stream of the River carri'd us. Our Men prepar'd them- 
felves to fight, and it was refolv'd to let them fire firft of all; 
and as we came near, I fpoke to them in the Language of the 
Hurons^ and fhew'd my Calumet of Peace ; but they did not 
anfwer me, which we took for a Declaration of War. How- 
ever, we refolv'd to venture to pafs ; but when they had feen 
us at a nearer diftance, they defir'd us in a friendly manner 
to come to their Habitations, where they entertain'd us with 
Beef and Oil of Bears, together with white Plums, as good 
every whit as ours. Thefe Savages have Guns, Knives, Axes, 
Shovels, Glafs-Beads, and Bottles wherein they put their Gun- 
powder. They wear their Hair long as the Iroquefe do, and 
their Women are cover'd as they are amongft the Hurons. 
They told us, That they were only within Ten Days Journey 
of the Sea; that they bought thofe Commodities from Euro- 
peans who live to the Eaftward ; that thefe Europeans had 
Images and Beads ; that they play upon Inftruments ; that 
fome were cloath'd as I was, and that they were very kind to 
them. However, I could find nothing in them that could 
perfuade me that they had receiv'd any Inftrudions about our 
Holy Religion. I endeavour'd to give them a general Idea 
of it, and prefented them with fome Medals to put them in 
mind of it. 

The account given us by the Savages was a great Encour- 
agement to us, in hopes to fee the Sea in a few Days ; and 
therefore we row'd with an extraordinary vigour. The Banks 



662 A New Difcovery of 

of the River began to be cover'd with high Trees, [218] 
which hinder'd us from obferving the Country, as we had 
done all along ; but we judged from the bellowing of the 
Bulls, that the Meadows are very near. We faw fome Quails 
on the Water-fide, and fhot a fmall Parrot, who had the half 
of his Head red, and the other part and the Neck yellow, 
and the reft of the Body green. We found our felves in this 
Place in the Latitude of 33 Degrees, fteering diredly South- 
erly ; and a little while afterwards we difcover'd a Village on 
the River-fide call'd Michigamea. The Savages made a great 
noife, and appear'd in Arms, dividing themfelves into three 
Parties, one of which ftood on the Shoar, while the others 
went into their Wooden Canows, to intercept our Retreat, 
and prevent our efcape. They were arm'd with Bows and 
Arrows, Clubs, Axes, and Bucklers. Notwithftanding thefe 
Preparations, we row'd diredly to the Shoar, where their main 
Body ftood ; and as we came near, two of their young War- 
riours flung themfelves into the Water to board my Canow, 
which he would have done, had not the rapidity of the Stream 
prevented his Defign ; fo that they were forc'd to return 
a-fhore, having thrown at us their Clubs, which by good for- 
tune went over our Heads. I prefented my Calumet of Peace, 
but they were fo bufy that they could not fee : However, as 
they advanc'd in a body to ftioot at us, the Old Men dif- 
cover'd my Calumet ; whereupon they made an Out-cry, com- 
manding their Youth to ftop, and two of them advanc'd to 
the Water-fide, throwing their Arrows and Quivers into our 
Canow, as a fign of Peace, defiring us by figns to come 



feveral Countries in America. 663 

a-fhoar, which we did, though with great apprehenfions. I 
fpoke to them in fix different Languages, [219] of which 
they underftood none ; but they brought an Old Man who 
fpoke Illinois^ whom we told, That we defign'd to go to the 
Sea, and made them fome fmall Prefents. They underftood 
what I told them on this matter; but very little, as I fear, 
of what I added concerning the CREATOR of the 
World. They anfwer'd. That we fhould learn whatever we 
defir'd ten Leagues lower, at a great Village call'd Akamjea^ 
and prefented us with their Sagometta, and fome Fifh. 

We lay there that Night in great Fears, and the next 
Morning embark'd again with our Interpreter and ten Sav- 
ages in one of their Wooden Canows, and met within half a 
League from Akamfea two large Canows full of Savages. 
The Captain was ftanding in the firft, holding his Calumet^ 
of which he made feveral Motions, according to the Cuftoms 
of his Country. I ftood up likewife in my Canow with my 
Calumet^ at which they were fo pleas'd, that they met us with 
all imaginable Demonftrations of Joy, attended with Songs 
and Shouts. They prefented us their Calumet to fmoak, and 
fome Bread made of Indian Corn, and then return'd home, 
bidding us to follow him, which we did at fome diftance. 
They had in the mean time prepar'd a kind of Scaffold to 
receive us, adorn'd with fine Mats ; upon which we fat down, 
and the Old Men and Warriours near us, the reft of the 
People ftanding off. We found amongft them a young Man 
who fpoke Illinois much better than the Interpreter we had 
brought with us from Mitchigamea ; and we defir'd him to 



664 A New Difcovery of 

acquaint his Nation with the Subjedl of our Voyage, as he 
had underftood it from us. We made him fome fmall Pref- 
ents, which they receiv'd with great Civility, [220] and 
feem'd to admire what I told them concerning GOD, the 
Creation of the World, and the Providences ; telling us by 
the Interpreter, That they fhould think themfelves very 
happy, if we would remain with them to teach them. 

They told us that we were within five Days Journey from 
the Sea ; but that they were not acquainted with the Nation 
inhabiting the fame; meaning doubtlefs the Europeans; for 
their Enemies hindred them from keeping any Correfpon- 
dence with them. They added, That their Axes, Knives, 
and Glafs Beads, had been given them in exchange of other 
Commodities, by fome Nations inhabiting to the Eaftward, 
and by fome Illinois^ who had an Habitation to the Weftward 
within four Days Journey of them : That the Savages whom 
we had met with Fire-Arms, were their Enemies, who hindred 
their Commerce with the Europeans ; and that we fhould be 
expos'd to great Dangers, if we did venture to proceed 
farther, becaufe thofe Savages were continually cruifing on 
the River. In the mean time, they brought us fome Saga- 
mettea, with fome roafted Corn, and a piece of a Dog. 

Thefe Savages are very courteous, and give freely what 
they have ; but their Provifions are but indifferent, becaufe 
they dare not leave their Habitation to go a Hunting for 
fear of their Enemies. They have Indian Corn in great 
plenty, and at all times, having three Crops every Year. 
They roaft it, or elfe boil it in great Pots of Earth, which 



feveral Countries in America. 665 

are curioufly made.^ They go naked, and wear their Hair 
very fhort, boring their Ears, which they adorn with Rings 
of Glafs-Beads ; but their Women are cover'd with Skins, 
having their Hair divided into two [221] Treffes, which they 
throw behind their Back, without any other Ornament. 
Their Feafts are without any Ceremony: They ferve their 
Meats in great Difhes, and every one eats as much as he 
pleafes. Their Language is very difficult, and I could never 
pronounce any Word of it. Their Cabins are made with the 
Barks of Trees, and are generally very long ; they lie at the 
two ends, their Beds being about two foot higher than the 
Floor. They keep their Corn in Paniers made of Rufhes, 
or in great Gourds. They have no Beavers, and all their 
Commodities are the Skins of Wild Bulls. It never fnows 
in their Country, and they have no other Winter than fome 
violent Rains, which makes the only difference between Sum- 
mer and Winter. They have no other Fruit but Water- 
Melons, though their Soil might produce any other, did 
they know how to cultivate it. 

They held a Council, wherein fome propofed to murther 
us, becaufe of our Commodities ; but their Chief oppos'd 
that bafe Defign, and having fent for us, danc'd the Calumet 
in our Prefence, which he prefented me with, to feal our com- 
mon Friendfhip. M. Joliet and I in the mean time call'd 
our Men together, to advife whether we Ihou'd proceed any 



^ Regarding the pottery manufactured by the tribes of this region, see Holmes's 
" Ancient Pottery of the Mississippi Valley," in U. S. Bur. Ethnol. Rep., 1882-83, 
pp. 360-436 ; and Reports of Peabody Museum for 1875 and 1878. — Ed. 



666 A New Difcovery of 

further, or return home from thence ; and having confider'd 
that the Gulph of Mexico lying in the Latitude of 31 Degrees 
and 40 Minutes, cou'd be but within three or four Days 
Journey from the Akatnfea^ and that therefore the Mijfijfipi 
difcharg'd it felf into it, and not to the Eaftward of the Cape 
of Florida^ or into the Californian-Sea, as it was expedled, it 
was refolv'd to return home. We confider'd likewife that 
the Advantage of our great Voyage wou'd be altogether loft 
to our Nation, did we fall into the [222] hands of the Span- 
iards, from whom we cou'd exped: no other Treatment but 
Death or Slavery ; and therefore it was more prudent to 
content our felves with this Difcovery, and make a Report 
thereof to thofe who had fent us. So that having refted 
another Day, we left the Village of the Jkamfea, on the 17th 
of July, having follow'd the MiJfiJfipi from the Latitude of 42 
to 34, and preach'd the Gofpel to the utmoft of my Power, 
to the Nations we vifited. We went up the River with 
great difficulty, becaufe of the Rapidity of the Stream, and 
left it in the Latitude of 38 Degrees, and went into a River, 
which conduced us into the Lake of the Illinois, which Way 
is much fhorter than the other, by the River Mefconftn, 
through which we came. 

I never faw a more pleafant Country than the Banks of 
that River. The Meadows are cover'd with Wild-Bulls, 
Stags, Wild-Goats ; and the Rivers and Lakes with Buftards, 
Swans, Ducks, Beavers. We faw alfo abundance of Parrots. 
Several fmall Rivers fall into this, which is deep and broad, 
for 65 Leagues, and therefore navigable almoft all the Year 



feveral Countries in America. 667 

long. There is but a Portage of half a League into the Lake 
of the Illinois} We found on the Banks of the faid River a 
Village of Illinois call'd Kiiilka \^sc. Kaskasia], confifting of 
74 Cabins. They receiv'd us with all the Kindnefs imagin- 
able, and oblig'd me to promife that I wou'd return to in- 
flru6t them, and live in their Country. Their Captain, with 
moft of their Youth, accompani'd us to the Lake of the 
Illinois [Lake Michigan], from whence we return'd to the 
Bay of Puans ; where we arriv'd towards the latter end of 
September^ having been about three Months In our Journey. 
[223] Although my tedious Journey fhou'd be attended 
with no other Advantage than the Salvation of one Soul, I 
fhou'd think my Pains fufficiently rewarded, and I hope I 
may prefume fo much ; for having preach'd the Gofpel to the 
Illinois of Perouacca for three Days together, in our Return, 
my Words made fuch an Impreffion upon that poor People, 
that as we were embarking, they brought to me a Dying 
Child, to Chriften him, which I did about half an Hour before 
he dy'd, by a fpecial Providence of God, who was pleas'd to 
fave that innocent Creature.^ 



^ A reference to the Chicago-Des Plaines portage ; see p. 626, ncte 1, ante. — Ed. 

2 This is an inaccurate and often abridged translation of Marquette's report of his 
voyage with Joliet down the Mississippi River. For an accurate reproduction of this 
document (with translation), see Jes. Relations, lix, pp. 189-163. — Ed. 



668 A New Difcovery of 



[224] Frequent mention having been made in the preced- 
ing yournal, of M. du Salles ; // may be expecled 
fome Account fhould be given of his latter Difcov- 
erieSj the unfortunate Succefs thereof^ and his own 
Tragical End; which fo difcourag^d the French, 
that they never made any further Attempt. 

MR. du SalleSy with divers French who did accompany him, 
fell down to the Mouth of the Great River, where 
it difembogues it felf into the Gulf of Mexico; but neither 
he nor any of his Company underftanding Navigation, or 
wanting Inftruments, fanci'd they were in the Latitude of 27 
Degrees, whereas really it was 29 ; and not being able to 
inform themfelves of its Longitude, or diftance from the moft 
Wefterly End of the Gulf, they prefum'd they were within a 
few Leagues of the River of Magdalen, which is 60 Leagues 
North of the River of Palms, and 120 from the River Panuco, 
as it is reprefented in Hennepin^s Chart, and on the Great 
Globe of CoronelW^ \ which great Miftake was the caufe of 
all his Misfortunes: For after his return up the River, and 
through the Great Lakes to Canada, he embrac'd the next 
Opportunity of returning by Shipping for France ; where he 



1 Marco Vincenzo CoronelH, an Italian geographer, who lived from about 1650 to 
lyp*. — Ed. 



feveral Countries in America. 669 

to the King and his Minifters gave fuch a favourable Repre- 
fentation of the Country, and Commodities therein contain'd, 
the Populoufnefs [225] of the Country, Civility of the Inhab- 
itants, far exceeding all the other Natives of America they had 
the Knowledge of; that the King thereupon order'd him a 
Fleet, and a very confiderable Equipage, viz. a Man of War 
carrying 56 Guns, a great Fly-boat, a Patache,^ and a Brig- 
antine, with things convenient for eftablifhing a Colony and 
Traffick with the Natives. This Fleet was Commanded by 
M. BeaujeaUj an Experienc'd Sea-Captain, who was ViAuall'd 
for a Year; and M. dii Salles had under his Command 150 
Land-men, who were to fettle in the Country. The Fleet 
pafs'd by Martinico and Guardaloupe, where they took in frefh 
Provifion and Water, together with divers Voluntiers ; and 
by M. du Salle's Diredion, fail'd thence to the North-Weft 
end of the Gulf, in 27 Degrees. When they arriv'd there, 
they were in great Confufion, not being able to come near 
the Coaft of Florida, by reafon of a long Bank Reciff, or as 
the French call it, Contre-cofte,^ which they fearch'd for fome 
hundred Miles. It was no-where above a Musket-fhot over, 
and every twenty or thirty Miles there was a Breach, by 
which the Water iffu'd out of a vaft Lagiine, whofe breadth 
they could not learn. They went in their Ship-Boat above 
forty Miles, and could not gain fight of the main Land or 



iParkman(La Salle, p. 331) calls these two vessels " a store-ship and a ketch." 
— Ed. 

2 This term is not to be found in standard French dictionaries, but it evidently 
refers to the reef-formations which front that and other parts of the Gulf coast, as well 
as the Atlantic Southern States. — Ed. 



670 A New Difcovery of 

Continent. This Lagune was fhallow, in fome Places fix foot, 
in few above nine or ten ; there are fcatter'd up and down in 
it divers fmall Iflands, upon one of them they found above 
four hundred Indians^ who did not inhabit there, but came 
accidentally, being upon fome Expedition. They were all 
Archers, very proper goodly Men ; their Hutts were cover'd 
with Skins of the wild crook-back Kine, which the French 
call Peftkieus,^ the Spaniards Corcobades, or Crook-back. They 
convers'd and traffick'd very friendly with the French divers 
Weeks, until an unhappy Accident made a great Breach. 

[226] M. du Salles, againft the Opinion of the Pilots, 
would adventure the Fly-boat through one of the Breaches 
into the Lagiine, apprehending he had found a Channel of 
fufiicient depth, through which he might pafs to the Conti- 
nent : But whether the Channel was too fhallow, or that they 
miftook it, the Fly-boat was loft, and the Frigat drawing lit- 
tle Water, efcap'd. The Indians upon the Ifland fav'd fome 
fmall matter of the Wreck, v/hich the French would take 
by force from them : They offer'd in exchange Skins, and 
fuch other Commodities as they had. The French when they 
could get no more, took two of their Piroques, or large 
Canows; which being abfolutely neceffary for them, and 
without which they could not poflibly return to the main 
Land from whence they came, occafion'd a Skirmifh, in which 
the French loft fifteen Men, and the Indians many more. 
M. du Salles being almoft diftraded, not knowing how to 

^The name Pisikiou is an Algonkin appellation of the wild bison ; it was, natur- 
ally, adopted by the French. — Ed. 



feveral Countries in America. 671 

find the Mouth of the River, took the Frigat, divers Boats 
and Pinnaces, together with a hundred and fifty Men, and 
Provifions for a Month, and crofs'd the Lagune, with an 
intention to fearch the Coaft till he found the Mouth of the 
Great River. M. Beaujeau waited ten Weeks, and heard no 
Tidings from him, it being in the Heat of Summer. They 
wanting Water and Provifions, befides abundance of his Men 
falling Sick of Fevers and Bloody-fluxes, he departed for 
France, without any News of M. du Salle; who after he 
departed from the Ships, rambled fome Days in the Lagune, 
and coafted the Main chiefly towards the Weft; which was 
diredly contrary to the Courfe he ftiould have taken, the 
great River being diftant above one hundred Leagues to the 
Eaft. But many believe M. du Salle was guilty of a wilful 
miftake ; for he perfuaded his Men, That fince they could 
not find the River, and were come to the River of St. Mag- 
dalen, being the North-Wefterly [227] end of the Gulf, which 
was not above two hundred Leagues from the rich Mines of 
Endehe, Santa Barbara, la Parale, and others in the Province 
of Saceatecas [Zacatecas], where the Spaniards are few, and 
not Warlike, they could not fail of rich and eafy Booty. 
This Propofition occafion'd a great Divifion amongft his 
Men, and deadly Feuds : One part were ready to comply 
with his Projed ; others for returning to their Ships ; a 
third Party for fearching the Continent towards the Eaft, till 
they found the Great River, and then return and Pilot the 
Ship thither, and purfue their Inftrudlions of Planting and 
Trading. From Words they came to Blows; many were 



672 A New Difcovery of 

kill'd in the Scuffle, and amongft others, M. du Salle very 
treacheroufly by one of his pretended Friends. Upon his 
Death they divided, and took feveral Courfes. They that 
return'd to feek the Ship, found it departed, and were never 
heard of fince ; others fcatter'd, fome Eafterly, fome Weft- 
erly, and Northerly. When I receiv'd this Account, which 
was above three Years after this difaftrous Expedition, not 
above Six were return'd to Canada^ and amongft them M. 
du Salle's Brother.^ 

So that the Providence of Almighty GOD feems to have 
referv'd this Country for the Engli/h, a Patent whereof was 
granted above Fifty Years ago to the Lords Proprietors of 
Carolina, who have made great Difcoveries therein, feven 
hundred Miles Wefterly from the Mountains, which feparate 
between it Carolina and Virginia, and Six hundred Miles from 
North to South, from the Gulf of Mexico to the great Inland 
Lakes, which are fituated behind the Mountains of Carolina 
and Virginia. Befides, they have an Account of all the Coaft, 
from the Cape of Florida to the River Panuco, the Northerly 
Bounds of the Spaniards on the Gulf of Mexico, together with 
moft of the chief Harbours, Rivers, [228] and Iflands there- 
unto appertaining ; and are about to eftabhfh a very con- 
fiderable Colony on fome part of the Great River, fo foon 
as they have agreed upon the Boundaries, or Limits, which 

^This entire paragraph is grossly inaccurate in its statements. For a correct 
account of La Salle's colony, and of its and his tragic end, see Parkman's La Salle, 
pp. 351-428, 442-446. Cf. Hennepin's own account as given in the present volume, 
pp. 388-441. — Ed. 



feveral Countries in America. 673 

the Lords Proprietors of Carolina^ who claim by a Patent 
procur'd long after that of Carolana} But there being fpace 
enough for both, and the Proprietors generally inclin'd to 
an Amicable Conclufion, the Succefs of this Undertaking is 
impatiently expedled : For confidering the Benignity of the 
Climate, the Healthfulnefs of the Country, Fruitfulnefs of the 
Soil, Ingenuity and Tra6tablenefs of the Inhabitants, Variety 
of Produdions, if prudently manag'd, it cannot, humanly 
fpeaking, fail of proving one of the moft confiderable Col- 
onies on the North-Continent of America, profitable to the 
Publick and the Undertakers. 

POSTSCRIPT. 

I AM inform'd a large Map, or Draught, of this Country 
is preparing, together with a very particular Account of 
the Natives, their Cuftoms, Religion, Commodities, and Ma- 
terials for divers forts of Manufactures, which are by the 
Ettgli/h procur'd at great Expense from other Countries. 

FINIS. 



^The earlier of these grants was made in 1627, to Sir Robert Heath : it covered 
the territory from 31 degrees to 36 degrees north latitude, and extending from the 
Atlantic coast to the Western Sea ; and to this territory was given the name Carolina, 
in honor of Charles I. In 1663, the same region was granted by Charles II. to 
Edward, earl of Clarendon, and others of the King's adherents; and various settle- 
ments in what are now North and South Carolina were made under their auspices. 
Heath had sold his patent, and later it was formally set aside in favor of the Carolina 
proprietors ; but about 1690 it was purchased by Daniel Coxe, who endeavored to 
obtain governmental recognition for his claim. He also had schemes for planting 
colonies in the region that he claimed. It is to this state of affairs that reference is 
made in our text. — Ed. 

11-21 



INDEX 



INDEX 



ABE 

Abenaki Indians, characteristics, 515. 

Acadia. See Nova Scotia. 

Accau (Accault, Ako), Michel (Mit- 
chel), leader of expedition, xxix, xxxi; 
opposes Hennepin, 182, 183, 187, 233, 
253; fears Spaniards, 199; disap- 
pointed in trade, 200 ; impatient to 
return, 200 ; avoids Fort Crevecceur, 
219; captured, 227-231 ; unable to 
swim, 248 ; adopted, 252 ; ill-disposed 
toward Hennepin, 253, 264, 272-275 ; 
remains with Issati, 276, 289; re- 
proached for cowardice, 2S9 ; ransomed 
by Du Luth, xxxi ; arrives at Fort 
Frontenac, 329; sketch, 180. 

Acolapissa Indians. See Quinipissa. 

Acorns, used for food, 596. 

Adders, in North America, 564. 

Agnier Indians. See Mohawks. 

"Aimable,"of La Salle's fleet, sets sail, 
389 ; driven ashore, 393, 394. 

Alabaster, in Canada, 556. 

Albany (N. Y.), visited by Hennepin, 
xvii, 42. 

Alders, in Illinois, 145. 

Alexander IV, pope, despatches Fran- 
ciscans, 609. 

Alexander, Sir William, settles Nova 
Scotia, 590. 

Algonquin Indians, habitat, 559, 594; 
characteristics, 514, 515; divinities of, 
451; mission to, 593, 594; method of 
fire-making, 246; language of, 651, 
670 ; friendly to Hurons, 60 ; assist 
settlers, 597. 



APP 

Allart, Germain, Recollect superior, or- 
ders Hennepin to make discoveries, 67. 

Alligators. See Crocodiles. 

AUouez (d'AUoues), Jean Claude, Jesuit 
missionary, founds Illinois mission, 
144, 631 ; among Miamis, 632, 633 ; 
opposes Hennepin, 632, 633; plots 
against Frontenac, 633 ; at Green Bay, 
640, 641 ; sketch, 631. 

Alum, found among Iroquois, 152. 

Amantacha (Louis de Sainte-Foi), Huron 
chief, in England, 592 ; reputed Ca- 
nadian prince, 592, 593; reverts to 
paganism, 593. 

America, described, 449, 450 ; natives of, 
462 ; Indian creation myth, 452. 

American Antiquarian Society, Proceed- 
ings, 406. 

Amikoue (Beaver) Indians. See Nez 
Perces. 

Aminoyo Indians, seen by La Salle, 629. 

Amonokoa Indians, Illinois tribe, 628. 

Anachorema Indians, visited by La Salle, 
420. 

Analau Indians, location, 437. 

Anastase, Father. See Douay. 

Andre, Louis, Jesuit missionary, 639. 

Andros, Sir Edmond, governor of New 
York and Virginia, 42. 

Anies Indians. See Mohawks. 

Annapolis. See Port Royal. 

Antonetta, Indian child, baptized by 
Hennepin, 264. 

Apples, cultivated by Taensa Indians, 
195; on the Mississippi, 622. 



6/8 



Index 



AQU 

Aquipaguetin, Issati chief, head of 

family, 256; characteristics, 240-242; 
desires revenge, 235, 240, 242 ; 
makes feast, 239; adopts Hennepin, 
239. 252, 304, 368, 373, 475 ; per- 
secutes Hennepin, 241-245, 286 ; 
later relations with Hennepin, 258, 
271, 285, 286; visits the Wisconsin, 
285 ; wonders at compass, 258 ; desires 
European goods, 285 ; parts with Hen- 
nepin, 304. 

Archaeological Institute of America, 
Papers, 447. 

Arekouanon (Peter Anthony), Indian con- 
vert, 595 ; educated in France, 595 ; acts 
as interpreter, 595 ; stratagem of, 596. 

Arkansas (Akansa) Indians, name given 
by Illinois, 177; habitat, 177, 443, 666; 
characteristics, 206, 665, 666 ; language, 
206, 665 ; Jolliet and Marquette among, 
663-666; visit La Salle, 177; Henne- 
pin among, 192, 205-207. 

Ascole, Jerome d' (Pope Nicholas IV), 
Franciscan missionary, 609, 610. 

Aspens, food of beavers, 518, 519. 

Aspics, in North America, 564. 

Assiniboin (Assinipoualak) Indians, 
stock, 267 ; location, 267. 

Astrolabe, used by Hennepin, 199. 

Ataentsic, Huron divinity, 450. 

Atahauta, Indian divinity, 451, 453. 

Atetkouanon. See Arekouanon. 

Athlone, Godert de Ginkel, Earl of, 
patronizes Hennepin, 11. 

Attriouati Annontage, Le Grande Gueule, 
Iroquois chief, 504, 505, 551. 

Auguel, Antoine du Gay (le Picard), 
birthplace and relatives, 264 ; accom- 
panies Hennepin, xxix, 180; ill-treats 
Hennepin, 182, 183, 187, 204; fears 



BAY 

Auguel (continued). 

Spaniards, 199; disappointed in trade, 
200; impatient to return, 200; avoids 
Fort Crevecceur, 219; captured by 
Issati, 227-231; favorable to Henne- 
pin, 233, 248, 252; unable to swim, 
248 ; adopted, 252 ; abandons Henne- 
pin, 272-275; leaves Issati, 276 ; dream 
of, 279, 295; supposes Hennepin dead, 
282 ; kills various animals, 282, 283 ; 
badly-treated by Indians, 2S9 ; returns 
to Fort Frontenac, 329 ; conceals 
discoveries, 334. 

Bahamos Indians, in Texas, 419, 420. 
Bailli (Le Baillif), made prisoner by 

English, 600. 
Bancroft, George, exposes Hennepin, 

xxxvi. 
Bandelier, A. F. A., " Southwestern 

Historical Contributions," 447. 
Baptism of Indians, discussed, 458-461 ; 

Indian ideas of, 486, 537 ; value in 

missions, 578. 
Barbels (fish), on upper Mississippi, 287, 

28S; size, 288, 558. 
Bartlett, John Russell, notes on Henne- 
pin, xlv, xlvii. 
Baude. See Frontenac. 
Bay of Chaleurs, location, 546. 

— of Chequamegon, 631. 

— of Quebec, 599. 

— Georgian, Hurons near, 60, 112 ; 
Ottawas near, 115, 559. 

— Green (Bay of Puans), origin of 
name, 62, 638; location, 61, 221, 
621, 640; described, 638, 639; tides 
in, 638, 639 ; part of Lake Michigan, 
307, 308; Winnebagoes near, 308; Pot- 
awatomis on, 309; Outagamis on, 130. 



Index 



679 



BAY 

Bay, Hudson, location, 560, 561 ; explored, 

■ 560; portage to, 591; distance from 

. Quebec, 561 ; fogs within, 561 ; ice 

upon, 561 ; English forts on, 561 ; 

French attempt to capture, 561. 

— Matagorda (Tex.), 446 ; described, 
■ 400, 418, 419 ; colonized by La Salle, 

7, 392-401, 419; La Salle leaves, 419; 
distance from Mississippi, 442 ; mis- 
taken for Mississippi, 445; fate of 
colony at, 446, 447. 

— Mobile (Santo Spirito), named by 
Spaniards, 200; location, 200; La Salle 
at, 392. 

— Moran (East and West), off Mackinac 
Strait, 114. 

— Quinte (Kente), Cayugas at, 32, 53; 
Sulpitians, 32, 47 ; Recollects, 47, 97 ; 
visited by La Salle, xxi. 

— St. Lewis. See Matagorda. 

— Santo Spirito. See Mobile. 

— Saginaw (Sakinam), passed by 
"Griffon," 113. 

Bayagoula Indians. See Mugulashas. 
Beads. See Rassade, and Canons. 
Beans, in Louisiana, 213 ; in Illinois, 

652. 
Bear, on Mississippi, 228, 239; in Ohio 

country, 630; near Lake Erie, 315; 

hunted, 516; as food, 315, 517; 

found by La Salle's party, 130, 138 ; 

despoils Indian grave, 225; value of 

skins, 558. 
Beauchamp, \V. M., map of Iroquois 

village sites, 81 ; " Earthenware of the 

New York Aborigines," 526. 
Beaujeu, — , commands "Joly," 389, 

669; sails for France, 394, 395, 

671. 
Beaupre, early settlers of, 592. 



BRE 

Beavers, in Illinois country, 151, 666; 
on Mississippi, 211, 228, 276; on 
Fox River, 307 ; on Trinity River, 
436; in Arkansas, 437, 438; dams 
described, 307, 517, 51S; method of 
hunting, 516-519; used for food, 22S; 
value of skins, 558, 

Beaver robes, as presents, 568, 570; as 
articles of trade, 622. 

Begon, — , intendant of French West 
Indies, 391. 

Belle Fontaine, — , commandant of 
Fort Crevecoeur, 444. 

Berthier, Alexandre, director of Com- 
pany of Canada, 612. 

Biggar, H. P., Early Trading Companies 
of New France, 598. 

Biskatronge (Weeping) Indians, La Salle 
among, 406, 407. 

Black Hills, occupied by Tetons, 107. 

Blair, Emma Helen, assists on notes, 
xlii. 

Blathwait (Blaithwayt), William, Eng- 
lish secretary of war, 560; patronizes 
Hennepin, xxxviii, 10, 11. 

Blueberry (Fr. bluet), Indian food, 252; 
Dutch name for, 252. 

Bonivet, — , judiciary of Three Rivers, 
70. 

Boston, 597 ; fur-trade depot, 83, 559 ; 
subdued by Andros, 42. See also Fur- 
Trade. 

Boule, Sieur de, commands relief ship, 
597, 598 ; captured, 598. 

Bourgroyal, settlement on St. Lawrence, 

34- 
Bout de risle, Canada, 372. 
Brandy, in Indian traffic, 553. 
Breme (fish), 558; in upper Mississippi, 

284. 



68o 



Index 



BRI 

Brinton, D. G., Myths of New World, ^^o. 

Brisay, Jacques Rene de. See Denonville. 

Brodhead, John Romeyn, History of New 
York, xvii. 

Brossard, Anthony, Recollect interpre- 
ter, 83. 

Bruyas, Jacques, Jesuit missionary, xvi ; 
transcribes Iroquois dictionary, 42. 

Buffalo (Sp. Corcobades ; Fr. Pisikiou, 
Pesikieus), characteristics, 150, 576, 
624; described, 1 47-1 51, 563, 645, 
646; food of, 150; paths of, 148; mi- 
gration, 148, 563; hunted by Indians, 
147-151, 280, 519, 622; take shelter 
in woods, 148; flesh used as food, 
190, 282, 285, 290, 424; use of wool, 
149, 563, 634; of skins, 149-151, 406, 
665, 670; of hoofs, 150; great num- 
bers of, 146, 149, 151 ; enmired, 146; 
on Mississippi, 185, 211, 224, 242, 
282, 290, 300, 622, 644-646, 660, 
662; on Illinois, 146, 219, 340, 623, 
624, 627, 666; near Lake Michigan, 
134; on Missouri, 189; in Wisconsin, 
643 ; in Texas, 395, 398, 404, 424. 

Buffalo Historical Society, Publications, 

S3. 90- 

Buisset, Luke, with Hennepin among 
Iroquois, xvi, 38, 39, 45, 68 ; at Fort 
Frontenac, xx, xxiii, 47, 72, 98, 330, 542 ; 
greets Hennepin's return, xxxi, 330; 
returns to Quebec, xvii ; death, 39. 

Bustards, in North America, 558, 559; in 
Illinois, 146, 1 51, 666; in Louisiana, 
202 ; on Fox River, 639 ; on Missis- 
sippi, 644 ; tamed by Chickasaws, 192. 

Cache, described, 193. 
Caddoan Indians, 412, 416; habitat, 434, 
436, 442 ; receive Caveliers, 434-436. 



CAN 

Caen, Emery de, commands relief-ship, 
598 ; sketch, 598. 

Caen, Guillaume de, governor of Que- 
bec, monopolizes fur-trade, 598. 

Cahinnio Indians, habitat, 442 ; guide 
Caveliers, 436-440. 

Cahokia Indians, tribe of Illinois, 628. 

Cahokia (111.), location, 183. 

Calumets, 547; described, 125, 126, 654; 
material for, 213, 530; adornment, 196, 
654; sacredness of, 205, 653; emblem 
of peace, 124, 192, 194, 205, 22S, 303, 
33S. 339. 393. 406, 412, 434, 630, 647- 
649, 653, 661-663; emblem of war, 236, 
565, 653; in religious ceremonies, 214; 
in embassies, 256; offering to dead, 225, 
530 ; used in hunting, 520 ; sign of re- 
prieve, 232, 246, 252 ; refused, 229, 
230; article of trade, 217; dance of, 
119, 408, 634, 654-656, 665; used by 
Illinois, 156; by Chickasaws, 190, 191; 
by Quinipissas, 202 ; by Issati, 229, 230, 
232, 246, 252, 303. 

Canada, 560; extent, 368, 369; climate, 
597; forests of, 155, 555, 556; mines, 
556; fisheries, 555, 556; natives, 215, 216, 
616; origin of name, 65 ; discovered by 
Spaniards, 65, 106 ; settled by French, 
591. 596; conquered by English in 
1629, xiii, 8, 584, 590-597 ; retroceded 
to France xiii, 546, 61 1 ; capital, xv ; 
government, 65-67, 292 ; growth, 586, 
589 ; population, 586 ; fur-trade, 557, 
558 ; ship-building, 556; Iroquois war 
against, 552, 566-571, 582; missions 
to, xiii, 8, 70, 611-615. See also Cham- 
plain, Franciscans, Jesuits, Frontenac, 
and Iroquois. 

— Company of, monopolize trade, 457, 
612; hinder missions, 457, 460, 613; 



Index 



68i 



CAN 

Canada, Company of (continued). 
favor Jesuits, 614 ; desire Franciscans, 
613; sketch, 612. 

Canadians, 586, 589 ; characteristics, 308, 
312, 327 ; in Iroquois war, 552, 566-571, 
582 ; expedition against Hudson Bay, 
561 ; in fur-trade, 308, 3ii-3i3. 

Cankia Indians, Illinois tribe, 628. 

Canoes, size, 35, 37, 122; manufacture, 
36, 37, 272, 276, 336, 366 ; of buffalo 
skins, 422 ; usefulness in new country, 
32-36 ; propelled, yi \ rapidity, 366 ; 
insecurity, 273 ; superior to perogues, 
184, 197, 205, 238; inadequacy, 242; 
shoot rapids, 71. 

Canons, form of Indian beads, 180. 

Canroi, — , procurator-general of Pre- 
monstrants, 264; abbot of Beaulieu, 
264. 

Cape St. Anthony, named by Hennepin, 
207, 443- 

— St. Francis (Long Point), Lake Erie, 
named by La Salle, 108. 

— St. Mary Magdalen, location, 546 ; 
mission at, 545. 

— Tourmente, on St. Lawrence, 34 ; or- 
igin of name, 591 ; French commandant 
of, 591 ; captured by English, 592, 

593- 

Capuchins, in Acadian missions, 546. 

Carcarilica Indians, Illinois tribe, 628. 

Carolina, 629; extent, 672; charter of, 
672, 673. 

Caron, Joseph le, Franciscan mission- 
ary, 568 ; receives Iroquois hostages, 
570; aids Champlain, 591, 594, 599; 
besought for missionaries, 593; treats 
for surrender of Quebec, 599-602 ; 
solicited to go with Indians, 601 ; 
complaint against, 602; sketch, 613. 



CAY 

Carp, in North America, 558; in Mis- 
sissippi, 284. 

Carr, Lucien, naturalist, 406. 

Cartier, Jacques, winters at Charles- 
bourg-Royal, 34; names Assumption 
Island (Anticosti), ()2. 

Carver, Jonathan, early traveller, de- 
scribes St. Anthony's Falls, 294 ; 
Travels, 267, 294. 

Casein Indians. See Cherokees. 

Castors. See Beavers. 

Catarakouy. See Fort Frontenac. 

Catlin, George, describes calumet stone, 
654. 

Catlinite, used for calumets, 654. 

Caughnawaga, mission at, 546. 

Cavelier, Abbe Jean, Sulpitian priest, 
brother of La Salle, 386; characterized, 
429; accompanies expedition, 395- 
400; sets out with La Salle, 403-417 ; 
starts for Illinois, 419-422; learns of 
La Salle's death, 429; escapes from 
murderers, 431-433; assumes charge 
of survivors, 434; journey to Illinois, 
434-444; arrives at Fort Crevecoeur, 
444 ; departs for Canada, 447, 672 ; 
sails for France, 447 ; conceals La 
Salle's death, 447. 

— Jean, La Salle's nephew, accompa- 
nies La Salle, 3S8 ; on Texas expedi- 
tion, 419-422 ; learns of La Salle's 
death, 429 ; escapes from murderers, 
431-433; journey to Illinois, 434- 
444; travels by perogue, 441 ; returns 
to France, 447 ; Relation, 403. 

Cayuga (Goyogouin, Oiogouin) Indians, 
location, 40, 53, 97, 511; missionary 
among, 32; Hennepin among, 47, 524; 
remove, 100; address Frontenac, 550. 
See also Ganneousse, and Iroquois. 



682 



Index 



CED 

Cedars, on lower Mississippi, 212; near 
Niagara Falls, 319; in Texas, 411; 
value for ship-building, 556. 

Cenis Indians, habitat, 412, 413, 442; 
trade with Spaniards, 413; map drawn 
by, 413; war of, 431 ; La Salle among, 
411-416; La Salle's murderers among, 
430, 431; guide Caveliers, 434; Dou- 
ay's mission to, 446. 

Champlain, Samuel de, founds Quebec, 
591 ; governor of Canada, 591 ; West- 
ern exploration, 115; imports Fran- 
ciscans, X, xiii, 8 ; founds Three 
Rivers, 592 ; besieged at Quebec, 
592; aided by Caron, 591, 594, 597, 
599 ; reconnoitres, ~ 597 ; purchases 
corn, 598; capitulates Quebec, 599- 
603 ; treatment by English, 603 ; re- 
turns to France, 604, 605 ; sketch, 591 ; 
Voyages, 591. 

Channels, Bahama, 392 ; Chippewa on 
Lake Erie, 58; Tonnawanda on Lake 
Erie, 59. See also Straits. 

Chaonauon Indians. See Shawnees. 

Charlevoix, Pierre Fran9ois Xavier de, 
Jesuit, denounces Hennepin, xxxvi ; 
Journal Historique, 1 7 7. 

Charon, — , Canadian habitant, accom- 
panies Hennepin, 96. 

Chaumin, Indian convert, 601. 

Chefdeville, — , Sulpitian priest, accom- 
panies La Salle, 386, 401 ; at Mata- 
gorda Bay, 446. 

Cherokee (Casein, Casquinambaux) In- 
dians, location, 629 ; met by La Salle, 
629. 

Cherries (wild), near Niagara, 106. 

Chessagouasse (Chassagouache), head 
chief of Illinois, 160; abandons Chris- 
tianity, 169. 



CON 

Chestnuts, near Detroit, 109; on Mis- 
sissippi, 213, 622. 

Chicago (Checagou), Indian name for 
Fort Crevecoeur, 170. 

— , drainage canal, 626; Dial, article on 
Hennepin, xxxvi. 

— Desplaines portage, 667. 

Chickasaw (Chicasas, Chikacha, Cikaga, 
Sikacha) Indians, location, 177, 442 ; 
described, 191, 192, 442; hunting, 
207; hostile to French, 177; La Salle 
meets, 177, 629; Hennepin meets, 
190-192 ; willing to remove to Illi- 
nois, 442. 

Chincapins, on Mississippi, 657. 

Chinko Indians, Illinois tribe, 628. 

Chippewa (Ojibway, Fr. Sauteur) Indi- 
ans, at Sault Ste. Marie, 116, 117. 

Choctaw (Cha'hta) Indians, absorb Ko- 
roas, 195; band called Quinipissas, 
198. 

Choponsca Indians, Illinois tribe, 628. 

Chouart. See Groseilliers. 

Chougasketon Indians, Siouan tribe, ori- 
gin of name, 225; habitat, 225. 

Cibola, Spanish term for buffalo, 404. 

Qtrouilles. See Squash. 

Clement X, forbids Jesuit Relations, 588. 

Coal, in Canada, 556; in Illinois, 152, 
627 ; on Mississippi, 213, 623. 

Codfish in North America, 563, 590. 

Colbert. See Seignelay. 

Columbus, Christopher, discovers Amer- 
ica, 384 ; accompanied by Francis- 
cans, 374. 

Comanche (Chouman) Indians, habitat, 
413 ; trade with Cenis, 413 ; at war 
with Spaniards, 413; recognize Fran- 
ciscans, 414, 415. 

Congregation of the Propaganda, gov- 



Index 



683 



CON 

Congregation {continued). 
ems missions, 387 ; forbids Jesuit 
Relations, 587, 588. 

Conti, Louis Armand de Bourbon, 
prince de, favors La Salle, 3S8. 

Convent of St. Mary (Recollect), Que- 
bec, Hennepin enters, 68. 

Copper mines, on Mississippi, 213 ; in 
Illinois, 152, 647 ; near Hudson Bay, 
562. 

Corcobades, Spanish term for buffalo, 
670. 

Cornwall (Ont.), site of Long Sault, 
324; canal around, 324. 

Coronelli, Marco Vincenzo, geographer, 
668. 

Cottonwood trees, size, 212, 622; de- 
scribed, 564; used for perogues, 
212, 622. 

Coureurs de bois, illicit fur-traders, 334 ; 
at Mackinac, 310-313 ; at Green Bay, 
308 ; Du Luth a type of, 334. 

Couture, — , accompanies Tonty, 438; 
left at Arkansas River, 43S, 440; in 
Canada, 439 ; in the Illinois, 439. 

Coxe, Daniel, purchases Carolina, 673. 

Cranes, in North America, 559. 

Creek, Cayuga, "Griffon" built on, 90. 

— Chippewa, Hennepin camps on, 78. 

— Irondequoit (Isonnontouan), loca- 
tion, loi ; Hennepin at, xxiii ; La 
Salle, xxiii. 

Crocodiles, on Mississippi, 160, 201, 
210 ; fear fire, 202 ; Hennepin fears, 
201; devour a man, 417, 421. 

Daillon, Joseph de la Roche, Francis- 
can missionary, among Hurons, 595; 
sketch, 595. 

Deer, near Detroit, 109; on Illinois 



DOU 

Deer {continued). 
plains, 148, 151, 219, 623, 666; on 
Mississippi, 211, 228, 276, 622; on 
Ohio, 630; value of skins, 558. 

Denonville, Jacques Rene de Brisay, 
marquis de, governor of Canada, 49, 
614; favors Jesuits, 614; orders Fort 
Frontenac abandoned, 50. 

De Pere (Wis.), location, 307. 

Desdames, Thierry, naval captain, with 
Champlain, 598. 

De Soto, Hernando, discoverer of Mis- 
sissippi, 384, 629. 

D'Estrees, Cesar, French cardinal, favors 
Franciscans, 3S7. 

Detroit, country near, 109 ; settlement 
advised by Hennepin, no, in; post 
commanded by La Forest, 97. See 
also Straits of Detroit. 

De Valence, Martin, Franciscan mission- 
ary in America, 28, 29, 266. 

Dionne, N. E., bibliography of Henne- 
pin, xlvi, xlviii. 

Dodinga Indians. See Touginga. 

Dogs, among Indians, 465, 517. 

Dorsey, J. O., in American Ahitnr- 
alist, i-]i ; " Siouan Sociology," 225, 
268, 

Dottrel in North America, 559. 

Douay, Anastase, Franciscan missionary, 
accompanies La Salle, 387, 419-426; 
in Texas, 403-426; confesses La Salle, 
426 ; buries La Salle, 427 ; informs La 
Salle's brother, 429; exhorts La Salle's 
murderers, 430 ; escapes from La Salle's 
murderers, 431-433 ; buries Marne, 435, 
436 ; returns to Illinois, 441-444 ; re- 
turns to Europe, 445 ; second voyage, 
446 ; at Cambray, 445 ; conceals La 
Salle's fate, 447 ; description of expe- 



684 



Index 



DOU 

Douay (continued). 

dition, 403, 414, 415, 421, 422, 424, 438, 
442, 446. 

Doves. See Pigeons. 

Dubos, — , letter concerning Hennepin.xli. 

Duchesneau, Jacques, intendant of Can- 
ada, favors Jesuits, 52. 

Ducks (wild), in North America, 559; 
oil Mississippi, 205, 224; on Lake 
Ontario, 329; on Fox River, 639; in 
Illinois, 666. 

Du Luth (Du Lhut), Daniel Greysolon, 
coureur de bois, 334 ; trades for Fron- 
tenac, xxxi, 334 ; takes possession of 
Sioux country, 293 ; meets Hennepin, 
XXX, 293 ; kindness to Hennepin, xxxi, 
305; takes Hennepin with him, xxxi, 
294 ; admires St. Anthony's Falls, 294 ; 
disputes with Hennepin, 299 ; fears 
treachery, 302 ; at Mackinac, xxxi, 
310; remains among Ottawas, 334; 
sketch, 293. 

Du Plessis, Pacificus, Franciscan, warned 
of attack on Quebec, 567. 

Du Pratz, Le Page, Histoire de la Loiiisi- 
ane, 194, 219. 

Dutch, genius for colonization, 557 ; 
search for Northwest Passage, 337 ; in 
fur-trade, 553, 557 ; trade with Iro- 
quois, 42, 44, 56, 82, 83, 86, 553; 
friendly with Iroquois, 399 ; furnish 
Indians firearms, 501 ; Hennepin 
among, xvi, xvii, 42, 504 ; language 
spoken by Hennepin, x, xvii, 42. See 
also Albany, and Fur-trade. 

Eagles, on coast of Lake Michigan, 
129; on upper Mississippi, 284, 2S7 ; in 
Texas, 411, 426; drop fish, 284, 287, 
288. 



FAU 

Eels, in North America, 558 ; in the 
St. Lawrence, 596; taken by Indians, 
524. 

Elk, Canadian name of, 558 ; Indians 
hunt, 516; value of skins, 558; skins 
used as presents, 568, 570. 

Endehe, Spanish mines of, 671. 

English, genius for colonization, 557; 
seek Northwest Passage, 373 ; furnish 
Indians firearms, 501 ; in fur-trade, 
553' 557» 629 ; conquest of Canada, 
xiii, 8, 584, 590-603 ; capture Boule, 
59S; obtain Quebec, 599-603; treat- 
ment of Canadians, 592, 603 ; sequester 
Jesuit estates, 584 ; restore Canada to 
France, xiii, 61 1 ; build forts at Hudson 
Bay, 561 ; defend forts against French, 
561 ; pension Groseilliers, 560 ; in 
Mississippi Valley, 629, 672, 673. See 
also Fur-trade, New York, Virginia, 
and Carolina. 

Eskimos, characterized, 515; methods of 
fire-making, 246. 

Falls of Niagara, outlet for great lakes, 
317. 318, 523; described, xxiii, 53-56, 
78, 90, 317-323. 368; height, 278, 320, 
322 ; roar, 318, 322, 324, 331 ; mist, 318, 
323; island in, 318, 319; rapids below, 
322, 323; lands about, 318, 319; por- 
tage at, xxi, 96, loi, 104, 324; map of, 
560, 668 ; fishing, 523 ; Iroquois aban- 
don, 324. See also Niagara, and River 
Niagara. 

— of St. Anthony, location, 186, 224; 
named, 294; described, xxx, 223, 278, 
294 ; object of worship, 277-279, 299, 
463; admired, 294 ; Hennepin at, xxx, 
247, 277 ; Issati near, 276-279. 

Faucher, — , French commandant, 591. 



/'. 



Index 



685 



FAU 

Fauna, of North America, 558, 563. See 

also the various animals. 
Fenelon. See Salignac. 
Ferdinand, elector of Bavaria, patronizes 

Hennepin, xxxix, 7, 10, 357,366; allied 

with England, 365 ; death, 6. 
Fillatre, Luke, Recollect missionary, 

chaplain to Frontenac, 332. 
Firs, near Niagara Falls, 319 ; useful for 

ship-building, 556, 562. 
Fish, of North America, 558, 559, 563; 

Illinois River, 623 ; Mississippi, 645. 

See also the several species. 
Fisheries, in North America, 555, 556, 

563- 

Five nations. See Iroquois Indians. 

Fleche, Jesse, Acadian missionary, 461. 

Florida, reefs of, 669 ; Indians in, 670 ; 
discovered, 384 ; possessed by French, 
629; La Salle reaches, 392, 669. 

Folles-Avoine Indians. See Menominees. 

Forests, in North America, 555 ; of Mis- 
sissippi, 662. 

Foriere, Iroquois Indian, warns Cana- 
dians, 567 ; reconciles French and 
Iroquois, 567, 568. 

Foriman Indians. See Tourima. 

Fort Crevecceur (Checagou), 371, 438, 
627, 630; site, 165, 170, 171, 184, 
628; built, xxvii, 170-172; Indian 
name for, 170; origin of name, xxvii, 
171; Indians near, 442, 629; com- 
mandant, 444 ; visited by Western 
Indians, 627 ; plundered, 343 ; Cave- 
liers reach, 444. 

— Frontenac (Catarakouy, Kingston), de- 
scribed, 45, 46, 72 ; climate of, 629 ; 
colony, 47, 49; Indian councils, 317 ; 
owned by La Salle, 95, 99, 383 ; com- 
mandant of, 330 ; visited by La Salle, 



FRA 



Fort Frontenac (continued). 
xxi, 91, 172, 383, 390; by Cavelier, 
429 ; Hennepin at, xvi, xxiii, xxxi, 39, 
43. 72, 73. 8r, 96-100, 329-331, 338, 
390, 415, 428, 542 ; garden, 580; sketch, 
50. 

— Nelson, on Hudson Bay, 561. 

— Neusavane, on Hudson Bay, 561. 

— Niagara, location, xx, 56 ; built by 
La Salle, xx, xxi, 56, 78-80, 325 ; de- 
serted, 326; later forts, 56. See also 
Falls of Niagara, Niagara, and River 
Niagara. 

— Ste. Anne, on Lake Champlain, built 
by La Mothe, 335 ; Hennepin at, 335. 

— St. Louis (111.), built by Tout)', 91 ; 
granted to Tonty and La Forest, 96. 

— St. Louis (Tex.), built, 396, 397 ; de- 
scribed, 418, 419; La Salle returns to, 
417; captured, 446. 

Fox (Outagami, Fr. Renard) Indians, 
habitat, 130, 166, 307 ; customs, 167, 
168; hostile to Issati, 278, 288, 292; 
La Salle among, 130-135 ; dissuade 
La Salle from visiting Illinois, 134. 

— Wisconsin portage, 221 ; location, 
306 ; described by Hennepin, 306 ; 
Jolliet at, 621, 643. 

Foxes, value of skins, 558. 

Franciscans (Recollects), founded, 374; 
rules, xxxvii, 375, 573; habit, x, xii, 
xix, 194; Indian name for, 317, 326, 
582, 593 ; missionary zeal, 8, 28 ; 
precede Jesuits, 607, 609, 611; his- 
tory of missions, 607-615; missions 
in Orient, 374, 375, 457, 462, 568, 571, 
574,607-611; in South America, 459; 
in Spanish America, 194, 199, 266, 
415, 573; among English, 87, 333; 
Canadian missions in general, 350, 



686 



Index 



FRA 

Franciscans [contintied). 

369, 370, 459, 563, 611-615; first in 
Canada, x, xiii, 8, 28, 29, 106, 112, 
S73> 591. 593. 594, 59^, 59S, 604, 606, 
607 ; invite Jesuit cooperation, 604, 
6ii, 614; at siege of Quebec, 599- 
605; sent back to France, 605; re- 
turn to New France, xiii, 574, 603 ; 
favored by Frontenac, 8, 152, 332, 
574, 615; residence at Quebec, 68, 
603 ; convent of Notre-Dame des 
Anges, 349, 574, 603, 605, 606; Cana- 
dian provincial, 105, 349, 370, 372, 
5S9, 607; mission to Hurons, 595; 
at Fort Frontenac, xxiii, 38, 39, 47, 
49, 98, 330, 582 ; expelled therefrom, 
49; Fox Indians desire, 134; Illinois 
/desire, 176; abandon Illinois, 341, 
342; among Iroquois, xxiv, 572; at 
Three Rivers, 566 ; La Salle favors, 
98, 99, 3S6 ; accompany La Salle, 
386; in Europe, xxxvii, 10, 360, 364, 
366, 387, 445 ; Hennepin joins, ix, 
28 ; relations with Hennepin, xxxviii, 
xl, xli ; sketch, 8, 374. See also Henne- 
pin, and Missions. 

French, B. F., identifies fruits, 657. 

— settle Canada, 574, 591, 596; lose 
Canada in 1629, xiii, 8, 590-599; re- 
cover Canada, xiii, 546, 574, 61 1 ; 
attempts on Hudson I5ay, 561 ; fear 
Iroquois, 551 ; subdue Iroquois, 649; 
in Florida, 629 ; Chickasaws hostile 
to, 177; fur-trade, 553, 557; poor 
miners, 562 ; language used by Hen- 
nepin, X. See also Canada, Canadians, 
and Fur-trade. 

Frogs in North America, 564; eaten by 
Mohawks, 41. 

Frontenac, Louis de Baude, Comte de, 



GAM 

Frontenac {continued). 
governor of New France, 51, 52, 119, 
327. 539, 545; intrigued against, 633; 
opposed by Jesuits, 52 ; recalled, 52 ; 
returns, 52; expedition against Iro- 
quois, 52; pacifies Iroquois, 502, 550, 
551; sends out Jolliet, 209, 621; in 
fur-trade, xxxi, 324; builds Fort Fron- 
tenac, 39, 44 ; restores Fort Frontenac, 
50; favors Recollects, xiv, xviii, 574, 
615; approves Hennepin's mission, 
xviii, 69; welcomes Hennepin, xxxii, 
3Z'^~2>'}>^f 349> 607 ; receives tidings 
from Illinois, 337 ; sends home Sali- 
gnac, 32 ; sketch, 52. 

Fruit, on Mississippi, 195, 622, 657 ; in 
Texas, 405; in Wisconsin, 643. 

Fur-trade, value of, 557-559; inexhausti- 
ble, 557 ; advantageous to Indians, 
162; articles employed in, 71, 553; 
Dutch and French rivalry, xvii ; Eng- 
lish and French rivalry, 629; French 
monopolies, xx, xxiii, 334, 457, 598, 
605, 6i2;Mllicit trade, 308, 313, 325, 
334; Frontenac's relation to, xxxi, 52 ; 
with Iroquois, 571 ; with Western In- 
dians, 118, 119, 177, 207, 311 ; Indians 
assemble for, 585 ; Du Luth in, xxxi, 
293 ; route for, 222 ; Dutch with Iro- 
quois, 42, 44, 56, 82, 83, 86; English 
with Iroquois, 42, 44, 56, 82, 83, 86; 
Iroquois damage, 502, 552. See also 
Canada, Boston, New York, Iroquois, 
and Company of Canada. 

Gabriel, Father. See Ribourde. 

Gagnon, Phileas, Essai de Biblicgraphie 
Canadienne, xlviii. 

Game, birds of America, 559; on Mis- 
sissippi, 207, 210, 211, 622, 644; in 



Index 



687 



GAM 

Game {continued). 

Texas, 424 ; plentiful on Illinois, 

623. 
Gannaouens. See Kanawhas. 
Ganneouse Kaera, Indian chief, 539. 
Ganneousse, Cayuga village, location, 53, 

97; Hennepin at, 47, 524; removal of 

inhabitants, 100. 
Garakontie (Garagontie), Onondaga chief, 

550. 
Garangula (Grande Gueule). See At- 

triouati. 
Garlic (rocambol), wild, near Niagara 

106 ; in Illinois, 346. 
Gamier, Julien, Jesuit missionary among 

Iroquois, 82, 85. 
Gaspe (Acadia), location, 546, 555, 590, 

597. 598; mission, 370. 
Gaspesian Indians, assist settlers, 597. 
Genins, — , French miners, 562. 
Gilt-heads (fish), 558. 
Gnats (mosquitoes), on Mississippi, 

660. 
Goats, wild among Iroquois, 78, 81, 93; 

near Detroit, 109; near Lake Michi- 
gan, 129 ; in Wisconsin, 643 ; in 

Illinois, 148, 151, 219, 623, 666; on 

Mississippi, 211, 276, 281, 622, 644; 

on Ohio, 630; in Texas, 407, 411; 

Potawatomis feast on, 127; value of 

skins, 558, 622. 
Gold mines, near Hudson Bay, 562. 
Gooseberries, on Mississippi, 276. 
Gourds, wild, used as poison, 564 ; grown 

by Indians, 622. 
Goyogouins. See Cayugas. 
Graef (Graevius), Joannes G., professor 

at Utrecht, 373. 
Grapes, wild. See Vineyards. 
Grasshoppers, pest to harvestj 47. 



GUL 

Gravier, Jacques, Dicouvertes de la Salle, 
45. 75- 

Green Bay (Wis.), Indians near, 130, 308, 
309; Jesuit mission at, xxxi; JoUict, 
621, 638, 667 ; Marquette, 636-639, 667 ; 
Allouez, 631, 640; Hennepin and Du 
Luth, 307; La Salle, xxiv, 119. 

Green Lake county (Wis.), Indian village 
in, 640. 

Grey-gowns. See Franciscans. 

Gribanne, near Quebec, Jesuit estate, 
606. 

" Griffon," La Salle's ship, planned, 83 ; 
cost, 129; rigging lost, xxi, 89; ship 
yard for, xxi, 90, 91; launched, xxii, 
91-93; Indians admire, xxii, 94, 102, 
103; fitted, 102; sails Lake Erie, xxiv, 
106-109; in storm on Lake Huron, 
xxiv, 114; at Mackinac, xxiv, 115, 116; 
Hurons jealous of, 116; sailed for 
Green Bay, xxiv, 119; sent back, xxv; 
lost, 120, 121; La Salle hears of loss, 
xxv, 139, 140. 

Groseiliiers, Medard Chouart, sieur de, 
discovers Hudson Bay, 560, 561 ; 
pensioned by England, 560 ; sketch, 
560. 

Guaras Indians, in Texas, 420. 

Guiraeni, Prince of, patron of Indian con- 
vert, 595. 

Guinet Indians, in Texas, 419, 420. 

Gulf of California (Vermilion Sea), 266, 
623, 658, 666. 

— of Mexico, 672 ; Mississippi flows 
into, 367, 385, 388, 404, 445 ; La Salle 
on. 387, 391, 392, 669 ; La Salle's colony 
on, 392-401 ; Douay on, 446. 

— of St. Lawrence, fishing vessels cap- 
tured in, 590; French relief ship, 598; 
mission on, 545. 



688 



Index 



GUL 

Gulls, eggs of, used for food, 97. 
Guoaquis Indians, in Texas, 419. 

Hake {Merluccius vulgaris) . See Codfish. 

Hale, Horatio, Iroquois Book of Rites, 44. 

Hamel, Ensign de, on " Joly," 389. 

"Handsom," of La Salle's fleet, 388; 
captain sounds Matagorda Bay, 
399; captain murdered, 400; wrecked, 
401. 

Hans of Wirtemberg, companion of La 
Salle, 405, 430; avenges La Salle, 431 ; 
leads La Salle's men, 431 ; fights for 
Cenis, 431. 

Haquis Indians, in Texas, 434. 

Harisse, Henry, describes Hennepin edi- 
tions, xlv, xlvi. 

Harveau, F. Cesaree, Franciscan provin- 
cial, 364. 

Hawthorn berries, La Salle's party eat, 
129. 

Heath, Sir Robert, grant of Carolina, 
673 ; sells patent, 673. 

Hebert, Louis, first settler of Canada, 
596; advantaged by English occupa- 
tion, 603. 

Hebert, Marie Rollet, aids Franciscan 
missionaries, 596. 

Hemlock spruce (epinetas), near Lake 
Ontario, 73. 

Hemp, in Illinois country, 151, 623, 627 ; 
on Mississippi, 212; in Texas, 420. 

Hennepin, Louis, birthplace, ix; native 
language, x; joins Franciscans, x, 11, 
28, 179; novitiate at Bethune, x, 179, 
343,613; dissuaded from East Indian 
mission, x, xi ; passion for travelling, 
ix, x, xii, xl, 25, 26, 28-30, 364 ; early 
journeys in Europe, ix, 29-31, 312; 
preaches at Halles, xi, 29; among 



HEN 

Hennepin {continued). 
fishermen, xi, xii, 30; army chaplain in 
Holland, xii, xiii, 30, 31, 367 ; embarks 
for Canada, xiii, 31 ; adventures en 
route, xiv, 32; arrives at Quebec, xiv, 
32 ; preaches at Quebec, xv, 33, 561 ; 
itinerant missionary near Quebec, xv, 
33, 34; missionary at Fort Frontenac, 
xvi, xvii, 38, 39, 43, 46-50, 68, 81, 
383, 390, 415, 428, 429, 466, 523, 542, 
582 ; visits Iroquois and New Orange, 
xvi, xvii, 38-43, 502-504, 523, 524, 582 ; 
returns to Quebec convent, xvii, 68; 
chosen to accompany La Salle, xviii ; 
sent in advance, xviii, xix, 71, 72 ; em- 
bassy toSenecas, xx, 80-88, 632 ; dis- 
liked by Tonty, xxii, 94, 98 ; keeps a 
journal, xxii, 94 ; returns to Fort Fron- 
tenac, xxiii, 96-100; second voyage to 
Niagara, 101-104; disagreement with 
La Salle, 104, 105; on Lake Erie, xxiv, 
106-109; advises settlement at Detroit, 
no; on Lake Huron, xxiv, 113-115; 
at Mackinac, xxiv, 114-119; at Green 
Bay, xxiv, 119-121; canoe voyage up 
Lake Michigan, xxv, 122-124, 128-130, 
135; at River St. Joseph, xxv, 135- 
140 ; from Fort Miami to the Illinois, 
xxvi, 141-145; among Illinois, xxvi, 
155-182 ; missionary methods, 169, 486, 
487 ; to explore Mississippi, xxviii, 172, 
173; reluctant to go, xxviii, 178-182; 
embarks at Fort Crevecoeur, xxx, 182; 
detained by ice, xxx, 185 ; describes 
voyage down Mississippi, 186-208, 219, 
220; voyage up Mississippi, xxx, 221, 
222 ; taken prisoner by Issati, xxx, 222- 
224, 227-231 ; decides on non-resist- 
ance, 231 ; adopted by chief, 239, 252, 
373. 475 ; wept over, 244 ; at St. An- 



Index 



689 



HEN 

Hennepin {continued). 
thony's Falls, xxx, 246; hardships of 
captivity, xxx, 248-250, 258, 262, 276; 
at Indian village, 251-270; cured of 
illness, 2:55-257 ; considered a spirit, 

259, 532 ; learns Indian language, 259, 

260, 294 ; ministers to captors, 260-265, 
273» 274, 532; wanderings, 272, 273, 
276-286, 288, 289, 293; encounters Du 
Luth, xxx, 293-295; ransomed by Du 
Luth, xxxi; leaves Issati, 299; meets 
new band of savages, 302-304; on 
Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, xxxi, 305- 
307; among Winnebagoes, 308-310; 
winters at Mackinac, xxxi, 310-314; 
returns to Niagara, xxxi, 314-317; at 
Seneca village, 326-328 ; welcomed at 
Fort Frontenac, xxxi, 329-331 ; re- 
ceived at Montreal, xxxii, 333-336, 603 ; 
exposes Du Luth, 334; returns to 
Quebec, xxxii, 334-336, 349-352 ; meets 
JoUiet, 209 ; Groseilliers, 560 ; rela- 
tions with Indians, 85, 317, 634; de- 
scribes Indian languages, 215; returns 
to Europe, xxxii, 3, 352 ; meets Seigne- 
lay, 388 ; expelled from France, xxxviii, 
9, 371 ; relations with order, xxxviii, xli ; 
patronized by William III, xxxviii-xl, 
7, 10, 360, 365 ; later European travels, 
xxxvii-xxxix, xli, ii ; a plagiarist, xxxiv- 
xxxix, 155, 169; relations with La 
Salle, xiv, xv, xxxv, 386, 388 ; reasons 
for concealing Mississippi voyage, 9, 
186, 220, 334, 366-370, 388 ; last knowl- 
edge of, xli ; characterized, xli, xlii ; 
Louisiane,^, 188, 294, 309; published, 
xxxii, 9, 363-367, 423 ; described, 
xxxii, xxxiii; cited by author, 151, 
213, 563, 615, 616; bibliography, xlix- 
lii; New Discovery, published, xl, 11; 



11 



HUD 

Hennepin [continued). 
described, xl, xli ; bibliography, lix, 
Ixiv; Nouvelle Dkouverie, published, 
xxxiii, xxxix, 357, 359, 363 ; described, 
xxxiii ; cited, 268 ; bibliography, lii- 
Ivi ; Nouveaii Voyage, published, xxxiv, 
xl ; described, xxxix ; bibliography, Ivi- 
Iviii. 

Henry, bishop of Ceuta, in East Indies, 
608. 

Hens, among Chickasaws, 192. 

Herbs, medicinal, of North America, 
563 ; poisonous, 564. 

Here, Chevalier de, lieutenant on " Joly," 

389- 

Herinx, William, bishop of Ypres, disci- 
plines Hennepin, xi, 29. 

Herons, in North America, 559. 

Herrera, Alonso de, bibliography of, 
xlvi. 

Hewitt, J. N. B., " Iroquois Gods," 450. 

Hill, Abraham, English statesman, aids 
Hennepin, 11, 

Historical Magazine, on Hennepin, xlv. 

Hoffman, W. J., describes Indian medi- 
cine cult, 641. 

Holly trees, on Mississippi, 622. 

Holmes, W. H., " Ancient Pottery of 
Mississippi Valley," 268, 526, 665 ; 
" Prehistoric Textile Art," 194, 522. 

Honmontages. See Onondagas. 

Honnehiouts. See Oneidas. 

Horses, described by Indians, 212; 
painted on rocks, 208 ; used in Texas, 
404, 411-413, 419, 422; price of, 446; 
known by lowas, 627. 

Hough, Walter, " Fire-making appara- 
tus," 246. 

Huars. See Loons. 

Hudson Bay country, mines of, 561, 562. 



690 



Index 



HUD 

Hudson's Bay Company, formed, 560 ; 
forts of, 561. 

Huett, Paul, Hennepin's early master, 
613. 

Hulst, Felix van, biographer of Hennepin, 
ix. 

Hurier, — , officer of La Salle, 395. 

Huron Indians, origin of name, 60, 560 ; 
language, 661 ; method of fire-making, 
246; creation myth of, 450; cannibal- 
ism, 510; compared with Southern 
Indians, 195; name Lake Erie, 106; 
missions among, 106, 310, 544-546, 
595; war with Iroquois, 60, 112, 501, 
560; incorporated among Iroquois, 
560; visited by La Salle, 116; at 
Mackinac, 115-117, 311; aid Cana- 
dians, 59S. 

Iberville, Pierre Le Moyne, sieur de, 
Tonty with, 91 ; visits Taensa Indians, 
194. 

Illinois country, described, 151, 152, 623, 
627, 630, 666; climate, 168, 170, 171, 
629; minerals in, 152 ; fertihty of, 151, 
167, 623, 624 ; fur-bearing animals, 
340 ; Franciscans in, 386 ; La Salle's 
colony, 385; La Salle searches for, 
403, 404, 419 ; Caveliers reach, 444. 

— Indians, significance of name, 62, 153, 
506, 651 ; habitat, xxvi, 75, 146, 153, 
184, 343; number, 156, 628; tribes 
of, 183, 628, 651 ; language, 217, 651, 
663; customs, 167-169, 631, 651-656; 
slavery among, 631, 652; character- 
istics of, 157, 168, 169, 195, 505, 651 ; 
dress, 168; villages and cabins, 153, 
167, 650, 667 ; hunting, 219, 627 ; agri- 
culture, 153, 154, 652; feasts, 650; 
relations with Western Indians, 62S, 



IND 

Illinois Indians {continued). 
651 ; with Southern Indians, 175; with 
Iroquois, 164, 505, 628, 634; Iroquois 
war, 134, 177, 308, 309, 337-342; rela- 
tions with Miamis, 159, 177, 337, 632, 
633 ; Ottawas, 628 ; Shawnees, 337 ; 
Sioux, 228, 288, 305; trade, 629, 631, 
664; missions to, 146, 178, 371; diffi- 
cult to christianize, 168, 169, 178 ; Mar- 
quette and JoUiet among, 647-650 ; 
La Salle, xxvi, 155-163; Hennepin's 
relations to, 146, 173, 182, 632, 633; 
describe Mississippi, 175, 176; describe 
painted monsters, 207, 208; troubled 
with snakes, 168. 

Indians: 

Physical Characteristics — well formed, 
477, 651 ; robust, 488, 489; keen senses, 
480; tall, 576; swift, 489; unbearded, 
539; uncleanly, 548, 549. 

Mental Characteristics — in general, 
167, 168, 191, 195, 216, 227, 298, 455, 
460, 469, 582, 622 ; quickness, 298 ; 
generosity, 549; courtesy, xxvi, 81,82, 
86, 127, 204, 206, 230, 412, 541, 549, 
664 ; perseverance, 462 ; patience, 504 ; 
endurance, 509 ; worldly wisdom, 462 ; 
arrogance, 506, 544, 547 ; brutality, 
548 ; cowardice, 167 ; cruelty, 507-509, 
5"» 544, 566, 571; curiosity, 467; du- 
plicity, 14, 86, 87, 161, 227, 503, 515, 
553; drunkenness, 513, 514, 553; dis- 
respect for age, 547-549; gluttony, 
469, 488, 544 ; inconstancy, 478, 480- 
483. 553. 554; indifference, 552-554, 
577; incivility, 547; jealousy, 167,481, 
651 ; lasciviousness, 167, 455, 469, 473 ; 
revengefulness, 240, 469, 501 ; stupidity, 
466; shamelessness, 547, 549; self- 
interest, 5S1 ; imitation of Europeans, 



Index 



691 



IND 

Indians [contittued). 

550, 551 ; belief in dreams, 463, 464. 
469, 538, 539, 655 ; freedom of opinion 
468, 469. 

Philology — in general, 215, 467, 468 
no common language, 215, 543; sign 
language, 246, 249, 404, 407, 408, 414 
435, 662 ; difficult to learn, 543 ; Algon 
quian stock, 651. 

Mythology, Folk Lore, and Religion — 
in general, materialistic, 455, 537, 538, 
576; superstitions, 168, 259, 294, 295, 
456, 461, 465, 467, 484, 535, 542, 577; 
lack religious sentiments, 213, 455-463, 
466, 468, 541 ; ceremonies, 240, 463 ; 
divinities, 208, 460, 461, 463, 466, 537, 
538, 577; sacrifices to natural objects, 
277-279, 299,463,464,655; fetichism, 
538, 655; sun-worship, 214, 240, 435, 
463, 654 ; fear of evil spirits, 208, 233, 
250, 295 ; spirits propitiated by presents, 
208,214,435,463; myths of creation, 
450-453 ; of deluge, 577 ; of origin of 
thunder, 452 ; belief in life after death, 
453. 454, 53I1 537» 53^, 577 ; idea of 
heaven, 577 ; transmigration, 296 ; souls 
of animals, 453, 465, 466, 537, 539 ; medi- 
cine men (jugglers), 169, 259, 464, 465, 
485-487, 540, 542, 577, 578, 652, 653 ; 
medicine societies, 641 ; prophecy, 539, 
540; learn prayers by rote, 467 ; revert 
to paganism, 467, 469, 586 ; significance 
of cross, 641. 

Occupations — hunting, 48, 49, 147, 
153, 154, 182, 219, 242, 261, 272, 280, 
290, 489, 490, 516-521, 627, 646; fish- 
ing, 522-525; agriculture, 42, 153, 154, 
167, 258, 481, 490, 527, 622, 652, 
664; plant orchards, 192, 195; domes- 
ticate animals, 150, 192; dress and 



IND 

Indians (continued). 

dye skins, 622 ; fire-making, 245, 246, 

526, 527. 

Food — in general, 41, 74, 191, 548, 
579; corn, 116, 153, 307, 664; sagamite, 
116, 312, 406, 473, 488, 579, 650, 663, 
664; wild rice, 224, 252, 256, 296, 298; 
fish, 116, 256, 258, 262, 650, 663; dogs, 
650, 666; bears, 176, 239, 579, 661; 
beavers, 230 ; buffaloes, 148, 149, 225, 
280, 296, 521, 622, 646, 661 ; no salt, 
149, 290 ; method of preserving meat, 
24S, 290, 300, 521 ; fruit, 252, 661. 

Feasts — in general, 435, 437, 469, 
650, 655; customs at, 326, 471, 550; 
songs at, 437, 473, 479; varieties of, 
471-475; in honor of dead, 295, 296, 
454. 474. 53° ; for the sick, 474, 485 ; 
for war, 471-473; for marriage, 473, 
479 ; for adoption, 475 ; " feast of fools " 
or dreams, 514 ; time reckoned by, 296; 
sign of peace, 304. 

Villages and Cabins — villages de- 
scribed, 153, 167, 412; cemeteries in, 
530; construction of cabins, 167, 194, 
413, 665; built of reeds, 194, 203, 641, 
652 ; skins, 670. 

Furniture and Utensils — primitive, 
526; made of stone, 216, 521, 527,652; 
of wood, 527, 652 ; of bark, 230, 256, 
272, 497, 548 ; of bone, 665 ; of beavers' 
teeth, 527 ; pottery, 268, 526, 665 ; bas- 
kets, 665 ; gourds, 527, 528; bags, 149, 

527, 528 ; mats, 528 ; beds, 665 ; ob- 
tained from Europeans, 527, 529; 
kettles, 473, 527; knives, 474, 521, 526, 
527 ; hatchets, 527 ; gridirons, 521 ; for 
agriculture, 527 ; for fire-making, 524, 
526, 527; for fishing, 522, 525. See 
also Canoe, Perogue, and Calumet. 



692 



Index 



IND 

Indians (continued). 

\ Dress — in general, 492-495, 547, 
661 ; unclothed, 168, 228, 483, 492, 494, 
653, 665 ; difference in summer and 
winter, 168; of skins, 150, 165, 256, 
278, 412, 492, 494, 622, 646, 653; of 
tree-bark, 194 ; moccasins, 81, 168, 406; 
snow-shoes, 40 ; no hats, 576 ; European 
goods used, 492 ; for mourning, 455 ; 
of women, 493, 653, 665 ; children, 488, 
493, 494 ; babes, 528 ; Southern In- 
dians, 483, 547, 665 ; hair dressing, 291, 
661, 665. 

Ornaments — in general, 239, 493, 
650; of beads, 180, 406, 531, 665; 
porcupine quills, 241, 278, 296, 531 ; 
feathers, 412, 493; sea-shells, 494; 
painting bodies, 435, 492, 493, 530; 
embroidering skins, 149, 168, 296, 646; 
dyeing, 530. 

Wai-fare and Weapons — weapons in 
general, 127, 167, 477 ; bows and arrows, 
234, 505, 520, 526, 662 ; clubs, 662 ; 
bucklers, 662 ; fear firearms, 396 ; 
wonder at, 202, 205, 216, 437, 520 ; 
desire firearms, 235; obtain from 
Europeans, 167, 501, 503, 622, 651 ; 
arms buried with warriors, 531, 533; 
wars, occasions for, 471, 472, 501, 565, 
566; equipment, 503; proclamation, 
565; methods, 238, 239, 502-504; 
marches, 247, 248; ambuscades, 239, 
489, 503 ; attacking forts, 396, 503 ; 
scalping, 507 ; hostages, 570 ; spoils, 
222 ; prisoners, treatment of, 87, 88, 
222, 229, 244, 251, 278, 341, 431, 507- 
509,659; cannabalism, 509, 510; mak- 
ing peace, 568-570. 

Government, 216, 456, 513, 514. 

Councils — held at night, 158; de- 



IND 

Indians {continued). 
scribed, 439, 565-570, 665 ; authority of 
elders, 550 ; methods of procedure, 
326, 327, 476, 565 ; smoking at, 570. 

Courtship and Marriage — courtship, 
478, 479 ; marriage customs, 478-4S3 ; 
polygamy, 167, 253, 256, 468, 480, 482, 
532, 631, 651 ; punishment for incon- 
stancy, 483, 651. 

Women and Children — characteris- 
tics of, 147, 259, 489, 490, 535 ; occupa- 
tions, 149, 194, 202, 203, 224, 258, 276, 
291,481,490,622; child-bearing, 490; 
care of children, 528, 548; children 
undisciplined, 548. 

Sickness and Remedies — medicines, 
484, 485 ; herbs, 563 ; poisons, 564 ; 
for snake-bites, 168, 485, 564, 640 ; 
for arrow-wounds, 235 ; bleeding, 484 ; 
sweating, 256, 257, 484. 

Mortuary Customs — in general, 225, 
* 454, 530-534; respect for dead, 255, 
296. 474. 530. 531; bewail dead, 235, 
237, 239-241, 407, 455, 531, 634; pres- 
ents for dead, 530, 531, 533; coffins, 
530 ; burial places, 530 ; dead slain in 
battle, covering, 241, 296, 474; burial 
of warrior, 531, 533; of children, 531. 

Gift Giving — use of, 83, 127, 157, 
176, 193, 437, 549, 568, 642 ; value, 193; 
in councils, 649 ; to medicine men, 652; 
by missionaries, 476 ; as propitiatory 
offering, 230, 245, 487, 56S, 569; in 
peace negotiations, 56S, 569 ; for dead, 
241, 296, 474, 530, 531, 533; tobacco 
used for, 205, 229, 241, 304, 533; 
wampum, 569, 570. 

Miscellaneous Customs — games, 216, 
497-500; gambling, 168,497; dancing, 
195, 239, 240, 256; salutations, 194, 202, 



Index 



693 



IND 

Indians [fontinued). 
203, 255, 548, 550, 648; hospitality, 
434. 435 ; oratory, 472, 550, 569, 656; 
story telling, 500; music, 195, 233, 437, 
473. 479, 499; slavery, 507-509, 631, 
652, 659; calendar, 516, 650; "berd- 
ashes," 168, 653; adoption, 475-477; 
symbol for admiration, 176, 191 ; sym- 
bol of protection, 245 ; use of tobacco, 
249, 533 — see also Calumets; guard 
fires at night, 189; desire European 
education, 551. 

Trade — intertribal, 413, 652, 664; 
with Europeans, 235, 241, 492, 528, 
622, 661 ; with Spaniards, 404, 413, 622 ; 
wampum used in, 83, 569, 570 ; traders, 
542, 543. See also English, French, 
and Fur-trade. 

See also the several tribes. 

Indian Corn, rapidity of growth, 203 ; 
fertility, 213, 622; food, 116, 153,307, 
665 ; La Salle sows, 396, 398 ; in Wis- 
consin, 642. 

Innocent XI, aids Canadian Missions, 3S7. 

louskeka, Huron divinity, 450. 

Iowa (Aioua, Ainove) Indians, Siouan 
tribe, 166; habitat, 166, 627; visit La 
Salle, 627 ; know Spaniards, 627. 

Iron mines, near Lake Ontario, 73 ; in 
Illinois country, 152; on Mississippi, 
213, 623, 660 ; in Hudson Bay country, 
561, 562; in Wisconsin, 643, 644. 

Iroquois country, climate, 629 ; salt in, 
638; alum, 152. 

— Indians, habitat, 39, 53, 71, 324, 325, 
341, SI I, 559; characteristics, 44, 45, 
195, 396, 501-503. 505, 506, 511-515. 
551. 552, 571; language, 42, 48, 228, 
449; customs, 48, 49, 74, 81, 82, 86-88, 
519-524; myths, 208, 451 ; war customs, 



ISL 

Iroquois Indians {continued). 
88, 507-510; persuaded to agriculture, 
xvi, 38, 524 ; provided with firearms, 
337. 501. 505; feared, 164, 165, 177, 
551 ; wars on Hurons, 60, 112, 501, 546, 
560; incorporate Hurons, 560; South- 
ern raids of, 87, 88, 92, 102, 439, 505 ; 
hostile to Tetons, 107 ; to Ottawas, 
316, 326, 327; relations with Miamis, 
337-341, 632, 633 ; war on Illinois, 134, 
308,309, 337-343.628,632, 633; enslave 
Issati, 292 ; oppress Shawnees, 659 ; 
favor English and Dutch, 86, 107, 399; 
fur-trade of, 56, 571 ; dangerous to 
Canada, 399, 501, 502, 552, 571, 5S2 ; 
wars with French, 50, 52, 396, 566-570, 
582, 634, 649; overawed by French 
forts, 46, 335 ; friendly to French, 327, 
550, 551 ; hard to destroy, 553; mis- 
sions among, xvi, 42, 74, 99, ico, 544, 
582 ; Tonty's relations with, 339, 444 ; 
Hennepin among, xvi, 38, 43, 317, 326- 
329 ; embassy from La Salle, 79-88 ; 
oppose building " Griffon," xxii, 92, 
93, 107. See also Senecas, Cayugas, 
Frontenacs, Mohawks, Onondagas, and 
Oneidas. 

Island Anticosti (Assumption), off St. 
LaviTence, 63, 387. 

— Cape Breton, fisheries of, 555; mis- 
sion in, 545; sighted by Hennepin, 32. 

— Cuba, La Salle's fleet at, 391. 

— Grand, in Lake Erie, 58. 

— Guadaloupe, La Salle's fleet passes, 
669. 

— Gull (Goilans), on Lake Ontario, 97. 

— Manitoulin, in Georgian Bay, 112; 
Ottawas on, 115. 

— Martinique, La Salle's fleet passes, 



694 



Index 



ISL 

Island, Miscou, location, 546 ; mission at, 
545 ; French commandant, 59S. 

— Newfoundland, fisheries of, 555 ; seen 
by Hennepin, 32. 

— Orleans, near Montreal, 34, 49, 71 ; 
attacked by Iroquois, 396. 

— Peace, La Salle's fleet at, 391. 

— Red, near Saguenay River, 596. 

— St. Domingo, La Salle's destination, 
389 ; inhabitants deceitful, 391 ; domes- 
tic animals from, 398. 

— St. Lawrence. See Orleans. 

— Washington (Isle des Pouteouatamis), 
location, xxiv, 119 ; visited by La Salle, 
119, 122. 

Isle of Orleans, in Quebec Bay, 599. 

— Percee, origin of name, 590 ; location, 
597 ; fisheries of, 555, 563 ; Recollect 
mission at, 563. 

Issati (Santee) Indians, habitat, 188, 225, 
249; characteristics, 233, 236, 247-249, 

259, 510; language, 217, 259, 260, 294; 
food, 252, 256, 258; hunting, 242, 271, 
276-292 ; fire-making, 245, 248 ; customs 
on march, 236, 237 ; war customs, 237, 
238, 251; feast for dead, 295, 296; 
dances, 239; superstitions, 233, 259, 

260, 27S; ignorance of iron, 271 ; weep 
over captives, 222, 229, 244, 255, 259, 
262 ; war with Southern Indians, 305 ; 
embassy from Western Indians, 266- 
268, 373 ; enslaved by Iroquois, 292 ; 
capture Foxes, 27S ; desire alliance with 
Lake Superior Indians, 293; capture 
Hennepin and companions, xxx, 6r, 
222, 227-231, 510; weep over, 222, 
229, 244; carry away, 232-249; at vil- 
lages, 249, 251 ; dispute over Hennepin's 
belongings, 249, 250 ; instructed by Hen- 
nepin, 261 ; permit Hennepin's depart- 



JEU 

Issati Indians (continued). 

ure, 277 ; at St. Anthony's Falls, 276- 
278; attack each other, 2S0 ; wander- 
ings, 289-29S; part from Hennepin, 
297-305. 

Jacinth (Hyacinth), medicinal virtue of, 
128. 

Japan, 372-374; passage thither sought, 
385, 449, 564 ; Franciscans in, 374, 375, 
609 ; Jesuits in, 609. 

Jenks, A. E., " Wild Rice Gatherers of 
the Upper Lakes," 224. 

Jesuits, order founded, 608; Eastern mis- 
sions of, 415, 607-611 ; come to Canada, 
xiii, 604, 61 1 ; during English siege, 
599, 600, 604 ; sent back to France, 8, 
604, 605; re-enter Canada, 606, 611; 
work alone in Canada, xiii ; relations 
to Franciscans, xiii, 8, 42, 49, 574, 597, 
604, 606, 6ii, 613; relations with offi- 
cials, xiii, 51, 52, 613, 614; Canadian 
missions, 546, 584; Huron mission, 
112; Iroquois mission, xvi, 20, 82, 85, 
341, 583 ; Northwestern missions, xxiv, 
xxxi, 310, 583, 631 ; Illinois mission, 
146, 631 ; Indian name for, 317, 341, 
633 ; La Salle trained by, 98, 99 ; as 
annalists, xviii ; intrigues, 632, 633 ; 
Hennepin attacks, 584-587 ; estates in 
Canada, 584, 597. Jesuit delations, de- 
scribed, 587; European vogue, 586; 
ceased, 587, 588 ; edited, xiii ; cited, 41, 
45, 60, 65, 81, 83, 87, 99, 126, 127, 168, 
^69, 177, 194, 208, 219, 246, 439, 450, 
451, 454, 461, 49S, 509, 514, 537, 5S4, 
588, 595, 600, 621, 639, 640, 654, 667. 

Jeune, Paul le, Jesuit missionary, per- 
mitted to use Franciscan property, 606; 
sketch, 606. 



Index 



695 



JEU 

Jeunet, Father Hilarion, Franciscan mis- 
sionary, 350. 

John, Father. See Jeune. 

Joliet, 111., on drainage canal, 626. 

Jolliet, Louis, despatched by Frontenac, 
209, 621, 642; accompanied by Mar- 
quette, xiv, xviii, 209, 636; explores 
Mississippi, xiv, xxiv, 209, 621-623; at 
Green Bay, 636-639; on Fox River, 
639-643 ; Wisconsin River, 643, 644 ; 
reaches Mississippi, 644; among Illi- 
nois, 647-650 ; reaches the Missouri, 
658 ; reaches the Ohio, 659 ; among 
Mitchigamia, 662, 663 ; among Arkan- 
sas, 663-666 ; alarmed by monsters, 209, 
62S ; reasons for return, 209, 623, 666 ; 
return journey, 666, 667 ; account of 
discoveries, 621-624 ; Hennepin meets, 
209. 

" Joly," La Salle's vessel, misprinted in 
original as " Toby," q. v. 

Joutel, Henri a Ploto, accompanies La 
Salle, 419; as mediator, 431; escapes 
from Cenis, 431-433 ; on the Arkansas, 
438; Narrative of La Salle's voyage, 
403- 

Kakalin (Kekaling), Grand and Little, 
rapids of Fox River, Hennepin at, 307. 

Kalm, Peter, Swedish traveller, denounces 
Hennepin, xxxvi. 

Kamouraska county (Que.), missions in, 

546. 

Kanawha (Gannaouen, Ganniessinga, 
Piscatoway) Indians, raided by Iro- 
quois, 87. 

Kanoatinno Indians, habitat, 421 ; war 
with Cenis, 431. 

Kansas Indians, migrations and habitat, 
177- 



LAK 

Kaoukia, Illinois tribe, absorbed by Tama- 
roas, 183. 

Kappa Indians. See Kwapa. 

Kaskaskia (Cascaschua) Indians, Illinois 
tribe, habitat, 166, 667 ; slavery among, 
631 ; absorb Mitchigamias, 208 ; Jesuits 
among, 146; Jolliet and Marquette, 667. 

Kickapoo (Kikapou) Indians, habitat, 
166, 307, 346, 640; characteristics, 641 ; 
absorbed by Mascoutins, 166; massacre 
Father Ribourde, 343-346; war on Iro- 
quois, 346 ; Marquette among, 638-643. 

Kingston. See Fort Frontenac. 

Kirk, David, captor of Quebec, 590 ; first 
attempt, 592 ; second expedition, 594- 
603 ; deceived by Indian, 596 ; reas- 
sures missionaries, 600, 601 ; Champlain 
capitulates to, 599-603. 

Kirk, Thomas, English vice-admiral, 604. 

Kironona Indians, La Salle among, 408, 
409 ; at war with Spaniards, 408. 

Koracocnitonon Indians, Illinois tribe, 
628. 

Koroa Indians, habitat, 195 ; cultivate 
corn, 196; allies of Taensas, 19S; 
merged with Chocktaws, 195; Henne- 
pin among, 196, 203, 204. 

Kaukauna (Wis.), rapids at, 307. 

Kwapa (Kappa) Indians, migrations and 
habitat, 177 ; tribes, 438, 439. 

La Chine, origin of name, 372 ; settled 

by La Salle, 372. 
La Fleur, — , sergeant, commands Fort 

Frontenac, 330. 
La Forest (Delaforet), Guillaume de, 

La Salle's lieutenant, 96; traffic with 

Indians, 97 ; sketch, 96. 
Lake Assiniboin. See Lake Winnipeg. 
— Champlain, French fort on, 335. 



696 



Index 



LAK 
Lake Erie, origin of name, 58, 106 ; de- 
scribed, 58, 59, 625, 629 ; affluents of, 
629; fishing in, 314; "Griffon" built 
on, xxi; navigates, xxiv, 106-111; Hen- 
nepin returns through, 314-317. 

— Frontenac. See Lake Ontario. 

— Huron, origin of name, 60; loca- 
tion, 55, 625, 626; description, 60, 61, 
626, 629; fishing in, 311, 312; navi- 
gated by "Griffon," xxiv, 111-I14; 
navigated on ice, 314. 

— Issati (Mille Lacs), location, 223 ; 
outlet, 224; region described, 224 ; dis- 
tance from Lake Superior, 224 ; Hen- 
nepin near, xxx. 

— Michigan (Illinois), origin of name, 
62; location, 55, 60, 61, 623; de- 
scribed, 62, 626; islands of, 626; afflu- 
ents of, 629; explored, 560; portage 
from, 630, 667; navigated by " Griffon," 
xxiv, 119; "Griffon" founders in, 120, 
121; La Salle's party on, xxv, 123- 

135- 

— Ontario (Frontenac), 38, 58 ; origin 
of name, 44, 51, 52, 53, 559; described, 
52, 53. 559; tides in, 72; outlet, 331 ; 
navigation improved, 626; distance 
from Quebec, xvi; Indians on, 511; 
fur-trade, xxiii ; Fort Frontenac, 45 ; 
Franciscan mission, 582; Hennepin, 
xxiii, 38, 96, 97, lOi, 102, 326, 329- 

331- 

— Peoria (111.), location, xxvi, 155; In- 
dian name, 155; La Salle on, xxvi, 

154. I5S- 

— Pepin (Wis.), location, xxx ; Hen- 
nepin captured near, xxx, xxxiv; his 
name for, 222. 

— St. Clair, named by Hennepin, 59, 
J08 ; Indian name for, 59 ; navigated 



LAS 

Lake (continued). 

by the " Griffon," xxiv, 1 1 1 ; Hennepin 

returns through, 314. 
Lake St. John, source of Saguenay River, 

591. 

— St. Joseph, in Louisiana, 194. 

— Simcoe, Hurons near, 60. 

— Superior, described, 63, 64 ; outlet, 
61 ; explored, 560 ; as a route to Mis- 
sissippi, 222, 225 ; Issati near, 224, 292. 

— Winnebago, in Fox River, 639, 640. 

— Winnipeg (Assiniboin), location, 267. 
Lalemant, Charles, Jesuit missionary, 

606, 613. 

Lalemant, Jerome, Jesuit in France, 606. 

La Meterie, — , Canadian notary, 99. 

La Motte-Lussiere, Pierre de St. Paul, 
lieutenant of La Salle, xx, 335; com- 
mands La Salle's vessels, xx, xxiii, 76 ; 
builds Fort Niagara, xx; returns to 
Canada, xxi, xxii, 78 ; embassy to Sene- 
cas, 80-S8 ; dislikes missionaries, 85 ; 
builds Fort Ste. Anne, 335. 

La Parale, Spanish mines at, 671. 

La Potherie, Bacqueville de, Amerique 
Septentrionale, 135, 522. 

La prairie, location, 546 ; mission of, 
546. 

La Rochelle, port of departure for Can- 
ada, xiii, 254, 388, 389. 

Larousse, Pierre A., Dictionnaire, 254, 

385- 
La Salle, Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur 
de, birth, 45 ; educated by Jesuits, xviii, 
98, 99, 415, 428 ; first visit to Canada, 
99 ; settles La Chine, 372 ; proprietor 
of Fort Frontenac, xiv, 25, 99, 429 ; on 
ship with Hennepin, xiv ; seeks French 
support for projects, xvii; returns to 
Quebec, xvii, xviii ; favors Recollects, 



Index 



697 



LAS 

La Salle [continued). 
xviii, 98, 99 ; at Fort Frontenac with 
Hennepin, 45, 47, 383, 390, 415, 428, 
505, 524 ; Hennepin to accompany, 
xviii, 7 ; starts from Fort Frontenac, 
xxi, 74; builds "Griffon," xxi, 89- 
95 ; returns to Fort Frontenac, xxi, 91 ; 
hated by fur-traders, xiv ; property 
seized by creditors, xxv, 95, 332 ; builds 
fort at Niagara, xxi, 56, 325 ; returns 
to " Griffon," xxii, xxiv, loi ; appeases 
Senecas, xxi, loi ; upbraids Hennepin, 
104, 105 ; embarks on Lake Erie, xxiv, 
106-109; on Lakes Erie and Huron, 
xxiv, 106-114; fears shipwreck, 114; 
at Mackinac, 115; party scatter for 
trading, 118; at Green Bay, xxiv, 119- 
121; loses "Griffon," xxv, 120, 121; 
canoe voyage up Lake Michigan, xxv, 
122-135; at River St. Josephs, xxv, 
135-139 ; learns loss of " Griffon," xxvi, 
139, 140, 172; embarks for Illinois, 
xxv, 141 ; desertions from party, xxviii, 
146, 163-165; reaches the Illinois, xxvi, 
154; parleys with Indians, xxvii, 155- 
159, 161-163, 177, 337; selects site for 
fort, 165, 170; sends Hennepin to ex- 
plore Mississippi, xxviii, 171-173, 179, 
180 ; returns to Fort Frontenac, xxvii, 
172, 173, 178, 179, 181, 277.333; fails 
to re-enforce Hennepin, 271, 276, 277, 
285 ; enemies in Canada, 344 ; favored 
by French court, 325, 333 ; voyage of 
Mississippi discovery, xxxiv, 352, 367- 
371, 668; desires Illinois colony, 3S5 ; 
designs on New Mexican mines, 7, 357, 
390, 413, 427, 505, 671 ; secures royal 
indorsement, 385, 668, 669; chooses 
missionaries, 386-388; character of 
colonists, 388, 389 ; voyage to America, 



LEF 

La Salle {continued). 
389-392, 669-671 ; seeks mouth of Mis- 
sissippi, 7, 385, 445 ; loses ship, 393, 
670 ; builds fort on Matagorda Bay, 
392-401 ; hostility of Indians, 394-397, 
419, 670, 671; visited by Western 
Indians, 627 ; relations with Indians, 
399,629; founds colony, 395-401, 419, 
672; expedition in Texas, 402-417; 
among Cenis, 411-416; leaves for Illi- 
nois, 419-423, 671 ; party divides, 672 ; 
assassinated, xv, xxxv, xxxviii, 7, 10, 
357. 384, 424-427, 672; hostility to 
Hennepin, xiv, xxxv, 9, 10, 186, 333, 
352, 371 ; discredits Hennepin's writ- 
ings, xxxiii, xlii ; characterized, 98, 99, 
384, 418, 427 ; Memoir, xxxv, xxxvi, 
668-673. 

Laurel, in Louisiana, 195. 

Lauzon, Jean de, governor of Canada, 
614. 

Laval. See Montmorency. 

Lead mines, on Mississippi, 213; in Hud- 
son Bay country, 562. 

Le Baillif. See Bailli. 

Le Clerc, Maxima, Franciscan, accompa- 
nies La Salle, 387, 395 ; in Canada, 
387 ; at Matagorda Bay, 446. 

Le Clercq, Christian, Franciscan mis- 
sionary, 370 ; relation to Membre, 371 ; 
identified with Le Roux, 589, 607 ; 
sketch, 370 ; Relation de la Gaspesie, 
370 ; Etablissement de la Foy, published, 
xxxiv ; suppressed, xxxiv ; plagiarized 
by Hennepin, xxxiv, xxxix, 188, 191, 
570, 589 ; Shea's translation, 188, 198, 
309. 342, 371, 570, 606; cited, 155, 169, 
309. 370, 371. 403. 570, 595- 

Le Fevre, Hyacinth, Recollect commis- 
sary, XXX vii, 372, 386; friendly to La 



698 



Index 



LEF 

Le Fevre {continued). 

Salle, xxxvii; persecutes Hennepin, 

xxxvii, xxxviii. 
Lenox, James, notes on Hennepin, xlv. 
Leon, Alonzo de, Spanish officer, ransoms 

colonists at Fort St. Louis (Tex.), 446, 

447- 

Le Roux, Valentin, Franciscan commis- 
sary, 105, 349, 350, 372, 589, 599; 
advises Hennepin, 351-353 ; quoted 
by Hennepin, 589-606; writes under 
name of Le Clercq, 607. 

Lindens, bark of, used by Indians, 527. 

Lime tree, bark of, used by Indians, 528. 

Livre, value of, 84. 

London, Franciscans at, 605 ; Company 
of, to exploit Canada, 590. 

Long Sault of the St. Lawrence, de- 
scribed, 324, 331, 332 ; Hennepin shoots, 
332- 

Loons (huars), in North America, 559; 
feathers used for calumet, 125. 

Louis XIV, indorses La Salle, 385, 386; 
relations to Hennepin, xxxviii, xli, 9, 
ID; described to Indians, 414. 

Louis de Sainte-Foi. See Amantacha. 

Louisiana, climate of, 576 ; forests, 555 ; 
Indians, 494, 510; discovered, 3S6; de- 
scribed, 369, 370 ; slavery in, 631 ; 
polygamy in, 482. See also La Salle, 
and Mississippi River. 

Lynx, value of skins, 558. 

McGee, W. J., " Siouan Indians," 107, 
225. 

Mackinac (Michilimakinak), mission at, 
xxxi, 310; Marquette and Jolliet, xxiv, 
209 ; La Salle's advance party, 75 ; La 
Salle, 114-119, 139; Hennepin, xxxi, 
114-119, 310-313, 634; winter sports, 



MAR 

Mackinac (continued). 
xxxi, 312. See also Jesuits, Straits of 
Mackinac, and St. Ignace. 

Majulle, — , Sulpitian priest, accompanies 
La Salle, 386. 

Mallery, Garrick, " Sign Language among 
North American Indians," 246. 

Mambre. See Membre. 

Mamenisi, Issati Indian, his child bap- 
tized, 263-265, 289; meets Hennepin, 
289. 

Manitou, Indian divinity, 208, 453, 641, 

653. 659- 

Mansopolea Indians, location, 443. 

Map, Indian, of Texas, 413 ; Hennepin's, 
560, 668; JoUiet's, 621, 626, 628, 636. 

Maples, for ship-building, 556 ; for sugar 
making, 580. 

Marble, in Canada, 556 ; on Mississippi, 
623. 

Margonne, — , director- of Company of 
Canada, 612. 

Margry, Pierre, documents on Hennepin, 
ix, X, xxiii ; Decotivertes et etablissements 
des Franfais, xxxv, 621, 668-673. 

Marmots, in Canada, 516. 

Marne, — , companion of La Salle, 
drowned, 435, 436. 

Marquette, Jacques, accompanies Jolliet, 
xiv, xxiii, xxiv, xl, 209, 621-667 ; among 
Menominees, 636-639 ; on Fox River, 
639-643 ; addresses Miamis, 642 ; at 
Fox-Wisconsin portage, 643 ; on Wis- 
consin River, 643,644; visits Illinois, 
647-650 ; reaches the Missouri, 658 ; 
describes the Ohio, 659 ; among Mitchi- 
gamias, 208, 662, 663 ; among A rkan- 
sas, 663-666 ; return voyage, 666, 667 ; 
at Mackinac, xxiv, 209 ; founds Illinois 
mission, 146, 631, 667; knowledge of In- 



Index 



699 



MAR 

Marquette {continued). 
dian languages, 663 ; describes painted 
monsters, 208, 657, 658 ; calumet-dance, 
654-656; sturgeon, 219. 

Marshall, O. H., " Building and Voyage 
of the Griffon," 53, 80. 

Martens, on Mississippi, 211 ; method of 
catching, 519 ; value of skins, 558. 

Martin, Horace F., Castorologia, 307. 

Mascoutin Indians, habitat, 143, 166, 307, 
640; customs, 167, 168, 641; absorb 
Kickapoos, 166 ; allied with Miamis, 
632, 640 ; embassy to Illinois, xxvii, 
158, 632, 633; influenced by La Salle, 
xxvii, 159; Marquette among, 639- 

643- 

Maxime, Father. See Le Clerc. 

Meadows, in Texas, 418, 420; of Illinois, 
623 ; of Wisconsin, 642, 643. 

Melons, grown by Indians, 622, 652, 665. 

Membre, Zenobie, Franciscan mission- 
ary, at Fort Frontenac, xxiii, 98 ; joins 
La Salle, xxiii, xxiv ; on Illinois River, 
xxvi, 154; mission to UUnois Indians, 
xxviii, 169, 170, 178,370; refuses to re- 
place Hennepin, xxviii, 178; later ad- 
ventures among the Illinois, 309, 337- 
345 ; searches for Ribourde, 344, 345, 
348 ; relation to Tonty, 309, 348 ; ac- 
companies La Salle's second expedition, 
xxxiv ; account of Mississippi voyage, 
xxxiv, 188, 191, 342, 345, 370; accom- 
panies La Salle's last expedition, 3S6, 
387, 395; returns to Europe, 371 ; mis- 
sion to Matagorda Bay, 446 ; relation- 
ship to Le Clercq, 371; Relation pub- 
lished by Le Clercq, xxxiv, 309, 370. 

Menominee (Folles Avoine) Indians, 
habitat, 636; medicine society of, 641; 
Marquette among, 636-639. 



MIS 

Mentou Indians, in Texas, 436, 442. 
Merchant Adventurers to Canada, 590. 
Mcrcure Francois, cited by Hennepin, 

606. 
Mertin, — , accompanies La Salle, 388. 
Messou (Manabozhu, Michabou), Indian 

divinity, 451, 577. 
Metotantes Indians, tribe of Pawnees, 

443- 

Mexico. See New Mexico. 

Miami Indians, habitat, 135, 143, 166, 307, 
640 ; tradition concerning, 208 ; char- 
acteristics, 640, 641 ; customs, 166-168, 
640, 641 ; hunting customs, 145-147 ; 
allied with Mascoutins, 632, 640; em- 
bassy to Illinois, xxvii, 158, 177 ; make 
peace with Illinois, 159, 177, 337, 663 ; 
war with Iroquois, 633, 634 ; allied with 
Iroquois, 337-341,632 ; war with Sioux, 
228, 2.''.9, 235, 475 ; fur-trade of, 629 ; 
mission to, 631,632; Jolliet and Mar- 
quette among, 639-643 ; furnish guides, 
642, 643 ; desire instruction, 641. 

Michault, Father Innocent, indorses 
Hennepin, 364. 

Michel, Jacques, French Huguenot in 
English service, 595. 

Michigan, watershed of, 629, 630. 

Mille Lacs. See Lake Issati. 

Mines of Canada, 556 ; of Hudson Bay 
country, 561. 

Minneapolis (Minn)., at Falls of St. An- 
thony, XXX, 186. 

Minnesota Historical Society, Neill's ad- 
dress on Hennepin, xxxii, xlvii. 

Missions, characterized, 543, 578, 579, 
581-587 ; directed by Congregation,387 ; 
character of missionaries, 584, 616-619; 
incidents of work, 545, 580; trials of, 
457, 458, 541-545. 553, 579, 581 i ob- 



700 



Index 



MIS 

Missions (contiyttted). 
stacles thereto, 467-470, 482, 541-546, 
553,554; at Indian councils, 476; mis- 
sion villages, 546, 585 ; affected by colo- 
nies, 45S ; Indian baptisms, 45S-461, 
578; English and French rivalry, 634; 
among Southern Indians, 470; West- 
ern Indians, xxiv, xxxi, 310, 583, 631 ; 
Illinois, 146, 631 ; Menominees, 636; in 
Canada, 545. See also Capuchins, Fran- 
ciscans, Jesuits, and Sulpitians. 

Missouri Indians, encountered by Henne- 
pin, 207 ; enemies of Issati, 305. 

Mitchigamia (Matsigamea) Indians, habi- 
tat, 208, 662 ; migration, 208 ; absorbed 
by Kaskaskias, 208 ; war with Miamis, 
208; Jolliet and Marquette among, 662, 
663. 

Mobier, Gervase, Franciscan lay brother, 

594- 

Mohawk (Agnier or Anie) Indians, 
habitat, 40, 53, 511; customs, 524; 
embassy to Canada, 634; Hennepin 
among, 41-43. See also Iroquois. 

Mohican (Wolf, Fr. Loup) Indians, habi- 
tat, 559 ; Hennepin meets, 634, 635 ; 
aid La Salle, 91. 

Moll, Herman, early cartographer, 267. 

Montaignais Indians, village at Three 
Rivers, 594; captured by English, 593; 
assist settlers, 597. 

Montmorency, Fran9ois Xavier de Laval 
de, bishop of Quebec, embarks for 
Canada, 3, 31 ; reaches Quebec, xiv, 
33 ; blesses Hennepin, xviii ; meets 
Hennepin on his return, 334-336; dines 
•with Frontenac, 335; opposes Francis- 
can mission, 387. 

Montreal, mission villages near, 546, 585 ; 
island of, 386 j Sulpitians at, 386; Le 



NAS 

Montreal {conthtued). 
Clercq, 370 ; La Salle, 372 ; Jolliet, 
621 ; Hennepin, xix, xxii, 332, 603. 

Moore, George H., assists in Hennepin 
bibliography, xlvi. 

Moose (Original), in Canada, 558. 

Moranger (Moranget .' Parkman), nephew 
of La Salle, accompanies him, 38S, 419; 
wounded, 394 ; commands fort, 395 ; on 
Texas expedition, 403, 416 ; assassi- 
nated, 424, 425, 431. 

Moreau, Zachary, European Franciscan, 
613. 

Morquet, Denys, Franciscan, to accom- 
pany La Salle, 387; falls ill, 387. 

Mosopoela Indians, destroyed, 628. 

Mosquitoes. See Gnats. 

Mouso (Monso), Mascoutin chief, among 
Illinois, 158, 159, 632; intrigues de- 
nounced, 162, 163, 632; refuted, 174; 
in danger, 633. 

Movisa Indians, habitat, 445. 

Mugulasha and Bayagoula Indians, habi- 
tat, 1 98. 

Mulberry trees, on Mississippi, 213, 622, 
657; in Texas, 405, 418; in Louisiana, 
195 ; bark used for cloth, 194. 

Musk-rat, killed by La Salle, 211. 

Nabiri (Naansi) Indians, in Texas, 

434- 

Nadessioux Indians. See Siouan Indians. 

Napaga Biscou, Indian convert, 593; 
grieves for missionary, 595. 

Narrehetoba, Issati chief, reprieves Hen- 
nepin, 232; protects Hennepin, 234, 235, 
244, 245 ; adopts prisoner, 252. 

Narvaez, Pamphilio de, Spanish discov- 
erer, 384. 

Nassoni (Assoni) Indians, habitat, 442 ; 



Index 



701 



NAS 

Nassoni (continued). 

receive deserters, 416 ; La Salle's 
murderers among, 430 ; Caveliers, 
432- 

Natchez (Miss.), habitat of Koroa Indi- 
ans, 195. 

— (Natchetes) Indians, in Texas, 436. 
Natchoos Indians, in Texas, 436. 
Naval stores, in Canada, 212, 556, 562. 
Navigation, to be encouraged, 557 ; of 

Great Lakes, 64 ; by sailing vessels, 76- 
79) 96, 97 ; of Hudson Bay, 561 ; Lake 
Erie, xxiv, 58, 95, 106-109, 315-317, 
625; Lake Huron, xxiv, 113, 114, 314, 
626; Lake Michigan, xxv, 1 19-123, 128, 
626; Lake Ontario, 53, 72, 76, 77, 626; 
Lake St. Clair, xxiv, no; Lake Supe- 
rior, 63 ; Mackinac Straits, 626 ; River 
Chicago, 626, 627 ; River Detroit, xxiv, 
III, 626; River Fox, 639; River Illi- 
nois, 145, 183, 627 ; River Mississippi, 
174-176, 185, 186, 224, 227, 445, 622, 
627, 666; River Niagara, 55, 56, 95, 

■ 317-323,625; River St. Lawrence, 83, 
324, 331, 332 ; River Wisconsin, 305, 
643, 644; Sault Ste. Marie, 61. 

Neill, Edward D., criticises Hennepin, 
xlvii; "Writings of Louis Hennepin," 
xxxii ; Dahkotah Land, 225 ; History of 
Minnesota, 225. 

Nettles, fibres used for cords, 522, 528. 

New France. See Canada. 

— Holland. See New York. 

— Orange. See Albany. 

— Mexico, location, 627 ; boundary, 449, 
564, 672 ; mines of, 7, 200, 357, 372, 
390. 413. 505. 671 ; Spaniards, 383, 39S, 
408, 413, 421, 433 ; invaded by Iroquois, 
505 ; Franciscans in, 266, 415. 

— Sweden, colony of, mentioned by Hen- 



NUT 

New Sweden (continued). 

nepin, 106, 560 ; furnishes firearms to 
Indians, 501. 

— York, Indians of, 41, 511, 559; in- 
habitants, 399 ; fur-trade of, 44, 56, S3 ; 
subdued by Andros, 42 ; Hennepin in, 
xvii, 42, 504; State Museum Bulletins, 
526. See also Dutch, and Fur-Trade. 

Nez Perces (Amikoues) Indians, habitat, 

559- 

Niagara, Seneca village at, xxii, 80, 325; 
La Salle builds fort, xx, xxi, 77-80 ; 
Hennepin arrives at, xx, xxiii, 90; 
Hennepin returns to, xxxi, 314-317; 
State Reservation Commissioners Re- 
port, xlviii. See also Falls of Niagara, 
and River Niagara. 

Nicholas IV. See Ascole. 

Nigamon, Iroquois hostage, 570. 

Nikana, Shawnee Indian, guides La Salle, 
403-424; shoots goats, 407, 411 ; bitten 
by rattlesnake, 409; lost in woods, 410, 
411; among Cenis, 412; in France, 
403; assassinated, 424, 425. 

Nikanape, Illinois chief, feasts La Salle, 
160-163; tries to detain La Salle, 160, 
161; silenced, 162; refuted, 174; de- 
scribes perils on Mississippi, 160, 161, 
164. 

North America, 552, 555 ; climate of, 
576; forests, 555, 564; herbs, 563, 564; 
reptiles, 564; fowl, 559; animals, 55S ; 
fisheries, 558, 559, 563, 564; first settled 
because of fisheries, 556. 

Notre-Dame des Anges, Franciscan con- 
vent, 574, 603, 605, 606. 

Nova Scotia (Acadia), fisheries of, 555 ; 
missions, 461, 546; French governor, 
598 ; settled by English, 590. 

Nuts, on the Mississippi, 622. 



702 



Index 



OAK 

Oaks, in Canada, 562 ; on Mississippi, 
212; in Texas, 418 ; in Wisconsin, 643. 

O'Callaghan, E. B., notes on Hennepin, 
xlv. 

Oil, article of trade, 556, 563. 

Oiogouins. See Cayugas. 

Ojibway Indians. See Chippewas. 

Okansa Indians, Illinois tribe, 628. 

Olier, Jean Jacques, founder of Sulpitian 
order, 386. 

Omaha Indians, migrations, 177. 

Omahouha (Wolf), Illinois chief, patron- 
izes Membre, 178. 

Oneida (Onneiout, Honnehiout) Indi- 
ans, habitat, 40, 53, 511; Hennepin 
among, 40, 41. 

Onnontio, Indian title for governor of 
Canada, 120, 326, 33S, 341, 539; origin 
of name, 550; favors Franciscans, 134. 

Onondaga (Onnontae, Honnontages) 
Indians, Iroquois tribe, habitat, 40, 53, 
511; characteristics, 511, 514, 551; 
slain by Miamis, 634; Hennepin 
among, 40, 41 ; address Frontenac, 
550 ; attack Tonty, 339. 

Ontonagannha Indians. See Shawnese. 

Opossum, killed by La Salle, 142. 

Original. See Moose. 

Ormond, Duke of, patronizes Hennepin, 
II. 

Osage Indians, habitat, 443 ; migrations, 
177; visit La Salle, 177; Hennepin 
among, 188, 189. 

Ossotteoez Indians. See Uzutiuhi. 

Otchimbi, Issati Indian, Hennepin with, 
291. 

Otkon, Iroquois divinity, 451, 453, 538, 
539. See also Manitou. 

Otoe (Autboutanta) Indians, habitat, 
166. 



PAN 

Otrewa'ti (Grande Gueule), Onondaga 
chief, 551. See also Attriouati. 

Ottanika Indians, on Mississippi, 445. 

Ottawa (Outtaouatz) Indians, habitat, 
1 15-177, 311, 559; war with Iroquois, 
316, 326, 327; hostile to Illinois, 628; 
French allies, 326; warn Jolliet, 209; 
Du Luth among, 334. 

Otters, in Illinois country, 151 ; on Mis- 
sissippi, 211, 2S4; on Trinity River, 
436; in Arkansas, 437, 438; catch fish, 
2S4 ; method of trapping, 517; value 
of skins, 558. 

Ouadebache Indians, located by Henne- 
pin, 190. 

Ouadebathon Indians, tribe of Sioux, 
habitat, 225. 

Ouasicoude (Pierced Pine), Issati chief, 
protects Europeans, 300 ; befriends 
Hennepin, 263, 271, 274, 275, 298, 303, 
304, 477 ; at feast, 295, 296 ; makes 
chart, 299, 306 ; goes hunting, 272. 

Ouidiche Indians, furs among, 437 ; Cava- 
liers, 436, 437. 

Ouitatanon Indians. See Weas. 

Ozanbogus Indians, on the Mississippi, 
445- 

Pacificus, Friar. See Du Plessis. 

Palaquesson Indians, allied with Span- 
iards, 422. 

Palms, in Loinsiana, 195. 

Palonna, Indian village, La Salle visits, 
422. 

Paltsits, Victor Hugo, Bibliographical 
Data, xlv-lxiii ; conclusions concerning 
Hennepin's plagiarism, xxxvi. 

Pana Indians, Pawnee tribe, 443. 

Panaloga Indians, Pawnee tribe, 443. 

Paneassa Indians, Pawnee tribe, 443. 



Index 



703 



PAN 
Panimaha Indians, Pawnee tribe, 443. 
Panther (catamount), Indian name for, 

211; described, 211, 212, 645. 
Parkman, Francis, denounces Hennepin, 

xxxvi ; La Salle, 45, 75, 90, 146, 158, 

iSo, 18S, 208, 214, 395, 403, 447, 669, 

672. 
Parrots, in Illinois, 151, 635, 666; on Mis- 
sissippi, 211, 622, 662. 
Parsons, Samuel H., notes on Hennepin, 

xlv. 
Partridges, in North America, 559; in 

Illinois country, 151 ; on Mississippi, 

211. 
Pastedechouan. See Arekouanon. 
Pawnee Indians, 412, 443; tribes of, 443. 
Payez, — , Franciscan commissary, 10. 
Peabody Museum /Reports, 665. 
Peaches, cultivated by Chickasaws, 192 ; 

by Taensas, 195 ; fruitful, 213. 
Pears, near Detroit, 109. 
Peas, in Canada, 596. 
Pelicans, in Illinois, 151 ; as food, 190. 
Peoria (111.), near Fort Crevecoeur, 171. 
Peoria (Perouaea) Indians, Illinois tribe, 

651 ; Marquette preaches to, 667. 
Perogue (pyrogue), described, 175, 191, 

622; made of cotton trees, 212, 622; 

inferior to canoes, 184, 191, 197, 205, 

238 ; used by Southern Indians, 239, 

394, 397, 409, 439, 662 ; by Jean Cave- 

lier, 441. 
Perrot, Nicolas, Memoir e, 126, 510. 
Persimmons, on Mississippi, 657. 
Petit-Guaves, La Salle's fleet reaches, 

390 ; soldiers ill at, 391. 
Picard du Gay. See Auguel. 
Picheno Indians, on Mississippi, 445. 
Pierson, Philippe, Jesuit missionary at 

Mackinac, xxxi, 310 ; sketch, 310. 



POR 

Pigeons, in North America, 559 ; as car- 
riers, 590; on Mississippi, 211; on 
Lake Ontario, 329. 

Pigmies, dwell in West, 267. 

Pike, in North America, 558. 

Pines, near Lake Ontario, 73 ; near 
Niagara, 323; for ship-building, 556. 

Pipestone (Minn.), site of quarry, 654. 

Piscatoways. See Kanawhas. 

Pisikiou. See Buffalo. 

Pitch. See Naval stores. 

Pivert, Nicolas, captured by English, 
592. 

Plums, near Detroit, 109; on Mississippi, 
213, 622, 661 ; in Wisconsin, 642. 

Point aux lievres (Point of Hares), loca- 
tion, 597. 

— aux Pins, Lake Erie, passed by 
" Griffon," 108. 

— de Levi, on River St. Lawrence, 34. 

— Pelee, Lake Erie, passed by " Grif- 
fon," 108. 

— St. Ignace (Mackinac), " Griffon " at, 
xxiv. 

Pointe la Barbe, on Mackinac Strait, 114. 
Poisson, Paul de, Jesuit missionary, 439. 
Pomegranates, on Mississippi, 213, 622. 
Ponca Indians, migration, 177. 
Ponce de Leon, Juan, discovers Florida, 

384- 

Pont (Pontgrave), Franjois du, in fur- 
trade, 605. 

Poole, William F., assents to Shea's de- 
fence of Hennepin, xxxvi ; translates 
Louisiane, xxxvi. 

Poor-Jack. See Codfish. 

Porcupine, near Lake Michigan, 123; 
hunted, 516, 517, 558. 

Porpoises on the St. Lawrence, 524 ; 
fisheries, 556. 



704 



Index 



POR 

Portage (Wis.), on Fox-Wisconsin port- 
age, 306. 
Port de Paix, " St. Francis " at, 390. 

— Royal (Annapolis), mission at, 545, 
546. 

Potash. See Naval stores. 

Potatoes, in Illinois country, 346. 

Potawatomi (Poutouatami) Indians, habi- 
tat, 119, 123, 309; attack Iroquois, 
634; chief admires Frontenac, 119; La 
Salle's party near, 127 ; receive Tonty, 

309- 
Powell, John Wesley, " Indian Linguistic 

Families," 225. 
Premonstrants, monastic order, 264. 
Prester John (Ung Khan), Franciscan 

embassy to, 610, 611. 
Pronevoa Indians, Illinois tribe, 628, 
Puants. See Winnebagoes. 
Pulse, planted by Hennepin, 258 ; by La 

Salle, 396, 398. 
Purslain, ground covered with, 148. 

Quail, on Mississippi, 211, 622, 662. 

Quarries, on Mississippi, 213. 

Quebec, capital of Canada, xv, 559; 
founded by Champlain, 591 ; Francis- 
cans at, X, xiii, 591-599 ; captured by 
English, 590-603; terms of capitula- 
tion, 603 ; fort of, 574, 599 ; hospital 
of, XV, 33 ; cathedral of, 603 ; attacked 
by Iroquois, 396, 566, 567; Le Clercq 
at, 370 ; Hennepin at, xiii, xxxii, 32, 335, 
336. See also Bishop Montmorency. 

— province, boundary, 561 ; fisheries, 
555 ; mission villages, 546, 585 ; Jesuit 
estates in, 584. 

Quinipissa (Acolapissa) Indians, habitat, 
198 ; encountered by Hennepin, 198, 
202, 203. 



RIC 

Racquets. See Snow-shoes. 

Radisson, Pierre Esprit, associated with 
Groseilliers, 560. 

Raffeix, Pierre, Jesuit missionary among 
Iroquois, 82. 

Rale, Sebastien, Jesuit missionary, de- 
scribes war-club, 127. 

Rassade, described, 180 ; Indians value, 
406. 

Rattlesnakes, described, 564 ; in Sioux 
country, 274, 532; on Mississippi, 283; 
in Texas, 409 ; on Niagara River, 324 ; 
Indian killed by, 222, 233. 

Ravens, on Lake Michigan, 129. 

Razilly, Isaac de, governor of Acadia, 598. 

Recollects. See Franciscans. 

Reeds, used for cabins, 194; in Texas, 
408; on Mississippi, 210, 660. 

Remington, Cyrus Kingsbury, bibliog- 
raphy of Hennepin, xlvi-xlviii; criti- 
cised, xlvii; Shipyard of the Griffon, 
xlvii, 90. 

Repentigny, Pierre le Gardeur, sieur de, 
early Canadian colonist, 60. 

Ribourde, Gabriel de la, Franciscan mis- 
sionary, early life, 179, 343; arrives in 
Canada, 347 ; among the Iroquois, 347 ; 
at Fort Frontenac, xxiii, 72, 98 ; ac- 
companies La Salle, xx, xxiii, loi, 103- 
105, 386; at Niagara, xxiv, 103, 105; 
Plennepin carries, 123; overcome by 
hardships, 128; at Fort Miami, 139; 
on the Illinois, xxvi, 154, 495; min- 
isters to La Salle's party, 170, 178; 
encourages Hennepin, xxviii, 179, 180;' 
starts for Canada, 341, 344; lost, 344; 
searched for, 344, 345; massacred, 309, 
343, 386 ; characterized, 344, 346-348. 

Richelieu, Cardinal, forms Company of 
Canada, 612. 



Index 



705 



RIG 

Riggs, Stephen R., " Dakota Grammar," 

225. 
Rio Bravo. See Grande. 

— Escondido (Hidden River), on early 
maps, 199. 

— Grande (Bravo), location, 199, 200; 
habitat of Comanche Indians, 413. 
See also River Magdalen. 

— Palmas (de San Fernando), distance 
from Mississippi, 200. 

— Panuco, distance from Mississippi, 
200. 

River Arkansas, location, 442, 443 ; habi- 
tat of Comanche Indians, 413; habitat 
of Kwapa Indians, 438 ; La Salle at, 
438; Couture upon, 438, 440, 441. 

— Amazon, on Hennepin's map, 369. 

— Black (Chebadeba), Hennepin passes, 
221. 

— Bois-Brule (Nissipikouet), portage of, 
222. 

— Brazos (Wicked; in Texas), origin of 
name, 421 ; described, 405 ; crocodile 
in, 417, 421. 

— Buffalo (Wis.), named by Hennepin, 
222 ; revisited by Hennepin, 288. 

— of Canes, La Salle crosses, 420. 

— Cap Rouge, Cartier on, 34. 

— Cherokee. See Tennessee. 

— Chicago (Checagoumenans), described, 
626; Kaskaskias near source, 166. 

— Colorado of Texas, La Salle on, 420. 

— Des Moines (Otontenta), Indians on, 
166, 627 ; falls into Mississippi, 1S6, 

221. 

— Des Plaines (Divine), described, 626, 
630. 

— Fox, Indians on, 307, 640 ; described, 
306, 307, 639, 642, 643 ; Hennepin on, 
xxxi ; Marquette and Jolliet, 639-643. 



d5 



RIV 

River Genesee (N. Y.), La Salle at, 
xxi. 

— Grave, or Mausolaeum. See St. Croix. 

— Hiens (Hans; in Texas), origin of 
name, 405, 420. 

— Humber, Hennepin anchors in, 77. 

— Illinois (Seignelay), described, 183, 
623, 627; breadth, 153; marshes and 
plains of, 145, 623; navigation, 145, 
146, 154; source, 143, 144; affluents, 
xxvi, 666; mouth, 155, 184, 185, 367, 
388, 404, 443, 623 ; Hennepin on, xxviii, 
XXX, 145, 146, 153; Jolliet and Mar- 
quette on, 666; on Hennepin's map, 

439- 

— Iowa, seat of Iowa Indians, 166. 

— Kankakee, branch of Illinois, xxvi ; 
La Salle on, xxvi. 

— Lavaca (River of Cows), 395. 

— Magdalen (Rio Grande, Sabine, San 
Antonio), location, 199, 200, 668, 671; 
La Salle at, 671. 

— Mai Baie (St. Francis), French vessel 
seized at, 590. 

— Maumee, portage of, 630. 

— Menominee, location, 636. 

— Milwaukee (Mellioki), Mascoutins 
and Foxes on, 166. 

— Minnesota, falls into Mississippi, 186. 

— Mississippi, origin of name, 141 ; 
length, 184, 200, 443; breadth, 186, 621, 
644; described, 3, 4, 185, 186, 190, 196, 
199, 200, 210-213, 224, 366-369, 371, 
622, 623, 644; affluents, 186, 188, 189, 
628; navigation of, 174-176, 666; di- 
vides into three channels, 198 ; climate 
of, 665; fish in, 210, 525, 645; forests 
on, 555, 622, 628, 662; game near, 207, 
210, 211, 622, 644; imaginary perils of, 
160, 161, 174, 637, 659; Indian map of, 



7o6 



Index 



RIV 

River Mississippi {continued). 

175 ; ice in, xxx, 185 ; sea monsters said 
to be in, 150, 628, 637, 638, 645 ; painted 
monsters on, 20S, 657, 658 ; tribes na- 
tive on, 175, 494, 510, 622; discovered 
by De 8010,384 ; Jolliet and Marquette, 
xiv, xxiv, 209, 621-667 ; La Salle on, 
xxxiv, 7, 75, 384, 668; discovery of, 
claimed by Hennepin, 388, 403, 444, 
445. 589; location of mouth, 119, 200, 
445, 666, 668; La Salle seeks mouth, 
392, 400, 444; Caveliers on, 441-444; 
water of, salt, 19S ; not frequented by 
Spaniards, 209, 628; should be garri- 
soned, 575. 

— Missouri (Pekitanoui, Osage), location, 
443> ^56; characteristics, 188, 658; 
source, 188, 189, 658; Jolliet and Mar- 
quette near, 222, 621, 658; Hennepin 
at, 188. 

— Neches (Tex.), La Salle near, 416. 

— Nepisiguit, mission at, 545, 546. 

— Niagara, described, 53-56, 317-323' 
625; outlet of lakes, 58; empties into 
Lake Ontario, 323; navigation of, 55, 
56, 95, 317-323. 625; fish, 523. See 
also Falls of Niagara, and Niagara. 

— Ohio (Ouabouskigou), described, 442, 
443, 659 ; afifluents, 629 ; waterway be- 
tween lakes and Mississippi, 39, 62, 
630; Shawnees dwell on, 659; Jolliet 
and Marquette reach, 659 ; Hennepin, 
190; Caveliers, 443. 

— Osage, discharges into the Missouri, 
443. See also Missouri. 

— Oswego (Aoueguen, Chouaguen), La 
Forest trades at, 97. 

— Otontenta. See River Des Moines. 

— Ottawa, branch of River St. Lawrence, 
71, 559 ; described, 559 ; Indians on, 559 



RIV 

River of Palms, location, 668. 

— Panuco, location, 668 ; Spanish boun- 
dary, 672. 

— Pekitanoui. See Missouri. 

— Red, habitat of Comanches, 413 ; habi- 
tat of Caddoes, 434. 

— Restigouche, mission at, 545, 546. 

— Robeck (Tex.), 404, 405; origin of 
name, 421. 

— Rum (St. Francis), location, 276; 
habitat of Sioux, 223, 224; Hennepin 
on, 272. 

— Sabine (Tex.), La Salle on, 416. See 
also Magdalen. 

— Sablonniere (Tex.), La Salle on, 421. 

— Saguenay (Tadoussac), described, 591 ; 
island in mouth, 596. 

— St. Bernard (Tex.), La Salle crosses, 
421. 

— St. Charles, near Quebec, 574. 

— St. Clair, named, 58, 59; tortuous pas- 
sage, III. 

— St. Croix (Nova Scotia), 590. 

— St. Croix (Wis.), called "River of 
Grave," 222, 223 ; portage to Lake Su- 
perior, 225; Hennepin on, 225. 

— St. Francis (Ark.), habitat of Mitchi- 
gamias, 208. 

— St. Francis (Que.). See Mai Bale. 

— St. Josephs, empties into Lake Michi- 
gan, 62, 135; marshes of, 142; Miamis 
on, 631; portage from, xxvi, 143, 144; 
rendezvous for La Salle, xxv, 135-140; 
La Salle's fort on, xxvi, 136-139; La 
Salle embarks, xxvi, 141. 

— St. Lawrence, source, 53, 59, 63, 369, 
523,559; length, 369; tide, 594; rap- 
ids, 71, 83, 324, 331, 332 ; islands, 331, 
596; flora, 562; fishing, 524; as boun- 
dary, 590; Indians on, 451, 559, 560, 



Index 



707 



RIV 

River St. Lawrence {continued). 
616; missions, 5S5; Hennepin, 38, 86, 
70, 369; garrison needed at mouth, 575 

— St. Louis. See Illinois. 

— St. Mary's, rapids described, 61, 115 
commerce on, 117. 

— St. Maurice, Three Rivers on, 546, 

594- 

— St. Peter (Que.), 372. 

— Saline, described, 443. 

— San Antonio. See Magdalen. 

— Seignelay. See Illinois. 

— of Tears, habitat of Biskatronge, 407. 

— Tennessee (Casquinambaux, Chero- 
kee), described, 629. 

— Trinity (Tex.), habitat of Cenis, 412, 
436; La Salle assassinated on, 426. 

— Wabash (Ouabache, Ouadebache). 
See River Ohio. 

— Wisconsin (Misconsin, Ouisconsin), 
described, 221, 223, 305, 642-644 ; Jol- 
liet and Marquette on, 621, 643, 644, 
666; Hennepin to meet La Salle on, 
271,277,285; Hennepin on, xxxi, 305. 
See also Fox-Wisconsin portage. 

— Wolf (du Loup), location, 596 ; mis- 
sion on, 545, 546. 

— Yazoo, visited by Koroa Indians, 195; 
Chickasaws on, 442. 

Riviere du Loup. See Wolf. 
Riviere Maligne (Wicked). See Brazos. 
Roy, Peter le, French prisoner, 600. 
Rozee (Rose), Jean, director of Company 

of Canada, 612. 
Rushes, in Illinois marshes, 145 ; used 

for weaving, 527. 

Sabin, Joseph, Dictionary, xlvi; bibliog- 
raphy of Hennepin, xlvi ; bibliography 
of Herrera, xlvi. 



SAL 

Saceatecas. See Zacatecas. 

Sagamite, Indian food, described, 116, 
312, 406, 473, 478, 488, 524, 579, 650, 
663, 664 ; offered to dead, 531 ; used 
by missionaries, 579. 

Sagard, Gabriel, Canada, 590. 

Saget, — , La Salle's servant, killed, 424. 

St. Anne, village on St. Lawrence, 34. 

St. Anthony (Cuba), La Salle's fleet at, 

391- 
St. Augustin cloister (Que.), Hennepin 

preaches at, xv. 
St. Barbe (N. Mex.), mines of, location, 

7 ; desired by La Salle, 200, 357, 372, 

390, 413,505,671. 
.St. Denis (France), Franciscans at, 386, 

602. 
"St. Francis," of La Salle's fleet, 389; 

captured, 390. 
St. Francis d'Assisi, founds order, 374, 

607. 
St. Genevieve (Mo.), location, 443. 
St. Ignace mission (Mackinac), xxxi; lo- 
cation, 114; Tonty at, xxv. 
St. Ignatius, founds Jesuit order, 607, 608. 
St. Lawrence, — , Governor of French 

West Indies, 391. 
St. Mary's, Recollect convent at Quebec, 

xvii. 
St. Norbert, founder of Premonstrant 

order, 264. 
St. Ours (Que.), Hennepin at, 70. 
Salignac, Fran9ois de, Abbe de Fenelon, 

missionary to Cayugas, 31, 32; returns 

to France, 32. 
Salmon, in North America, 558, 563 ; 

taken by Indians, 524. 
Salt, in Iroquois country, 638 ; lacking in 

West, 625, 638. 
Saltpetre, on the Mississippi, 623. 



7o8 



Index 



SAN 

Santee Indians. See Issati. 

Sault St. Louis, JoUiet wrecked at, 621. 

— Ste. Marie (Mich.), 61. 

Sauteur Indians. See Chippewas. 

Sauthois Indians. See Uzutiuhi, 

Seal, value of fisheries, 556. 

Sea-larks, in North America, 559. 

Sea-wolf. See Seal. 

Seignelay, Jean Baptiste Colbert, mar- 
quis de, befriends La Salle, 385, 3S8, 
439 ; river named for, 439. 

Seneca (Tsonnontouan) Indians, habitat, 
40. 53) 77. 78, 81, loi, 326, 511 ; cus- 
toms, 46, 82 ; fur-trade, 56, 82 ; impor- 
tance, 511 ; mission for, xxiv ; embassy 
to, 80-88, 632 ; desire a smith, 84, 91, 
1 10 ; oppose fort, xx ; oppose building 
" Griffon," xxii, 92, 93 ; La Salle among, 
xxi, 90, loi ; welcome Hennepin's re- 
turn, 326-328 ; tale concerning, 537. 

Seneffe, Hennepin participates in battle 
at, xiii, 31, 367. 

Seven Islands (Que.), mission at, 387. 

Shawnee (Chaouanon, Houtonagaha, On- 
touagannha) Indians, origin of name, 
87 ; habitat, 87, 659 ; allied with Illinois, 
337. 33S > oppressed by Iroquois, 659 ; 
thought to have killed Hennepin, 350 ; 
visit Illinois, 444 ; guide La Salle, 403- 
417. 

Shea, John Gilmary, bibliography of 
Hennepin, xlvi, liii ; evidence of Hen- 
nepin's plagiarism, 169. 188, 190, 191, 
352; interpolation theory, xxxvi, 352; 
Disccrvery of Mississippi, 75, 657 ; trans- 
lates and edits Hennepin's Loiiisiane, 
ix, xl, xlvi. Hi, 97, 125, 155, 169, 
171, 190, 352; Le Clercq's Etablisse- 
ment de la Foy, 188, 198, 309, 342, 371, 
403- 



SPA 

Ship-building, in Canada, 556, 562, 628 ; 
on Mississippi, 213. 

Shoshonean Indians, tribes of, 413. 

Sicacha, Chickasaw village, 442. See also 
Chickasaws. 

Silver, in Hudson Bay country, 562. 

Siouan (Nadessioux) Indians, habitat, 
225; numbers, 226; migrations, 177; 
language, 217; tribes of, 225; Jesuit 
missions among, 310; fur-trade, 629. 
See also Issati. 

Sioux country, taken possession of by 
Du Luth, 293. 

Sitteou Indians. See Uzutiuhi. 

Slate mines, in Illinois country, 152. 

Smithsonian Institution Report, 646. 

Snakes, among the Illinois, 168; on upper 
Mississippi, 279, 294; in North Amer- 
ica, 564 ; described by Hennepin, 279. 
See also Rattlesnakes. 

Snow-shoes (racquets), described, 527 ; 
used by Hennepin, 40 ; Indian supersti- 
tion concerning, 454. 

Sorbonne, discusses Indian baptisms, 461. 

Sotello, — , Franciscan missionary, 374. 

South Bend (Ind.), at Kankakee portage, 
xxvi. 

Spada, Cardinal, protector of Henne- 
pin, xli. 

Spade-fish, seen by Marquette, 645. 

Spaniards, as colonists, 414, 415; con- 
quests in America, 374 ; Indian wars 
of, 413, 421, 627; Indian policy, 571; 
cruelty, 398, 399, 408, 415, 421, 422, 
432, 627; Indian trade, 404, 413,622; 
feared by French, 199, 207, 623, 666 ; 
in Texas, 200 ; not on Mississippi, 209 ; 
learn La Salle's plan, 390, 391 ; rescue 
La Salle's colony, 446. See also Fran- 
ciscans, St. Barbe, and Zacatecas. 



Index 



709 



SQU 

Squash (Fr. citrouille), raised by In- 
dians, 537, 622, 652. 

Squirrels, hunted by Iroquois, 81. 

Strait of Anian (Agnian), origin of name, 
267 ; imagiiiary, 266-268 ; on ancient 
maps, 267, yjT,. 

— Detroit, described, 58, loS, 109, in, 
314, 625, 626; " Griffon " passes, xxiv. 

— Maclvinac, connect lakes, 60-62, 626; 
described, 114, 115, 626; commerce 
of, 117; "Griffon" passes, xxiv; dis- 
tance from Canada, 310. See also 
Mackinac, and St. Ignace. 

Sturgeon, in North America, 55S; in 

Niagara River, 57, 325 ; in Mississippi, 

219,284, 525,645; in Lake Erie, 3r4; 

in Illinois River, 623; described, 219, 

284; caught by otter, 284; caught in 

nets, 522. 
Sugar cane, on Mississippi, 576. 
Sulpitians, missions of, 32, 47, 3S6; sketch, 

386. 
Suite, Benjamin, Canadiens Frangais, 586. 
Swallows, on Mississippi, 279. 
Swans, wild, in North America, 559; near 

Detroit, 109 ; in Illinois, 147, 151, 666; 

on Mississippi, 224, 644. 
Swedes, in North America. See New 

Sweden. 
Sweet-gum tree, on Mississippi, 212. 
Sword-fish, in North America, 558. 
Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis). See 

Cottonwood trees. 

Tag, Sixte le, Franciscan missionary, 70. 

Tadoussac, English at, 591, 599; pris- 
oners taken, 595 ; Champlain sails for, 
604, 605. See also River Saguenay. 

Taensa Indians, habitat, 194 ; character- 
istics, 204; customs, 194-196; Henne- 



TEX 

Taensa Indians {contitiued). 
pin among, 194-196, 204, 205 ; Iberville, 
194. 

Tagarondies (Gandagaro), chief village 
of Senecas, 81. 

Talon, Jean Baptiste, intendant of New 
France, restores Franciscans, xiii, 8 ; 
dislikes Jesuits, xiii; names Ottawa 
Indian, 316. 

Talon, Ottawa chief, met by Hennepin, 
316, 317; family captured by Iroquois, 
316, 326. 

Tamaroa (Maroa), Illinois tribe, 628; 
habitat, 183, 184, 189, 210; number, 
183; enemies of Sioux, 228, 305; de- 
stroyed by Iroquois, 308, 309 ; Henne- 
pin among, 183, 1S4. 

Tampico (Mex.), Spanish settlement, 200. 

Tangibao Indians, habitat, 445 ; mur- 
dered by enemies, 198, 201 ; Hennepin 
among, 198, 201. 

Tanico Indians, habitat, 437. 

Taraha, Indian village. La Salle at, 422. 

Tebachi, Iroquois hostage, 570. 

Teganeot, Seneca chief, gift to Henne- 
pin, 327. 

Tejajagon, Cayuga village, near Fort 
Frontenac, 53, 77. 

Temiscouata county (Que.), missions in, 
546. 

Tensas county (La.), habitat of Taensa 
Indians, 194. 

Teton (Tintonha) Indians, Siouan tribe, 
origin of name, 207, 223, 225 ; habitat, 
166, 223-225; feared, 207; raided by 
Iroquois, 107. 

Texas, described, 422, 434 ; La Salle 
lands in, 392 ; colony in, 395-401, 419, 
446; explored, 402-417, 420-424. See 
also Fort St. Louis, and Matagorda Bay. 



710 



Index 



THO 

Thorn trees, in Wisconsin, 643. 

Three Rivers (Trois Rivieres), origin of 
name, 594 ; location, 34, 70, 546 ; set- 
tled by Champlain, 594; removal of 
inhabitants, 49 ; Iroquois council at, 
566, 569 ; mission, 540 ; Le Caron, 
594 ; Sixte le Tac, 70. 

Thwaites, R. G., Father Marquette, 61 ; 
edits /esziit delations, xliii. 

Timber, in Illinois country, 151. 

Tobacco, Indian, qualities, 304 ; planted 
by Hennepin, 258. 

" Toby " (misprinted in original for 
"Joly"), vessel of La Salle's fleet, 
388 ; arrives at Petit-Guaves, 390 ; off 
Florida, 392. 

Toise (French measure), 45. 

Tonty, Henri de, companion of La Salle, 
XX ; early life, 91,96; aids in building 
" Griffon," xxii ; commands La Salle's 
advance, 117; wrecked on Lake Michi- 
gan, 140; at Fort Miami, xxv, 139; on 
River Illinois, 155; at Fort Creve- 
coeur, 171 ; left in command, xxviii, 
178, 338, 444; mediates between hos- 
tile Indians, 338, 339; attacked by 
Iroquois, 339; allows missionaries to 
leave, 342-344; abandons fort, 343; 
fears Iroquois treachery, 344, 345 ; 
leaves Father Ribourde, 309, 344, 345, 
347 ; retreats to Wisconsin, 309 ; 
searches for La Salle, 436-438 ; leaves 
rear-guard, 438, 439 ; seeks Iroquois 
alliance, 444 ; hostile to Spaniards, xvii, 
96 ; enmity for Hennepin, xxii, 94, 98 ; 
sketch, 91. 

Torsellini, Orazio (Torcellin, Horace), 
Life of Xavier, 608, 609. 

Tortoises, in Illinois country, 151; on 
Wisconsin, 222 ; on Mississippi, 281, 



UTI 

Tortoises {coittinited). 

287; difficult to catch, 2S1; used for 
food, 2S1, 287 ; considered as divinity 
by Indians, 451, 452. 

Touginga (Dodinga) Indians, Caveliers 
visit, 439. 

Tourima (Foriman) Indians, Caveliers 
visit, 439. 

Trigoanna Indians, war expedition 
against, 420. 

Tritons, painted on rocks of Mississippi, 
208. 

Trois Rivieres. See Three Rivers. 

Tronson, — , superior of Sulpitians, 386. 

Trout, in Lake Huron, 311; Lake On- 
tario, 524; of river, 525; of lake, 116; 
salmon, 72. 

Tsonnontouans. See Senecas. 

Tuckahoe (koonti), root, Indian food, 
406. 

Turpin, Shawnee Indian, messenger to 
Illinois, 444. 

Turkeys (wild), abundant, 227 ; size, 558 ; 
on Chippewa Creek, 78 ; Lake Ontario, 
329; near Detroit, 109; Lake Michi- 
gan, 129; in Illinois, 146, 151, 623; 
Ohio country, 630 ; on Mississippi, 210, 
227,235,622,645; in Texas, 398; tamed 
by Chickasaws, 192. 

Turtles, on Lake Ontario, 329. 

Tyakappan, Indian village, visited by La 
Salle, 422. 

United States, Bureau of Fthnology 
Reports, 107, 177, 194, 224, 225, 246, 268, 
438, 522, 526, 641, 665; Geographical 
and Geological Survey Reports, 225, 
646 ; National Museum Reports, 246. 

Urban V, re-enforces Franciscans, 610. 

Utica (III.), site of Illinois village, xxvi, 



Index 



711 



UTI 

Utica [continued). 

146, 166; destroyed by Iroquois, 343; 

abandoned, xxvi. 
Uzutiuhi (Ossotteoez, Sauthois, Sitteou) 

Indians, passed by Caveliers, 438. 

Vaugondy, Robert de, early cartog- 
rapher, 267. 

Vermilion Sea. See Gulf of California. 

Vineyards, wild, near Detroit, 109; near 
Lake Michigan, 129, 130, 138; in Illi- 
nois country, 151 ; on Mississippi, 213, 
224, 622, 663 ; in Texas, 405 ; Wiscon- 
sin, 642, 643. 

Virginia, extent of, 672 ; part of New 
Sweden, 560 ; Franciscans in, 333 ; 
raided by Iroquois, 87. 

"Walnuts, near Detroit, 109, in Louisi- 
ana, 195 ; in Wisconsin, 643. 

Wampum, described, ?>t,, 569, 570. See 
also Fur-trade. 

War-club (Fr. casse-tete), described, 127 ; 
Father Ribourde killed by, 346. 

Watteau, Melithon, Recollect missionary, 
at Fort Frontenac, xxiii, 98; left at 
Niagara, xxiv, 106. 

Wea (Fr. Ouiatanon) Indians, habitat, 143. 

West Indies, Spanish possessions in, 414 ; 
La Salle at, 389-392. 

Whale, fisheries for, 556, 563. 

Whitefish, in Great Lakes, 57, 63, 78, 89, 
116, 524; in Mississippi, 288. 

Wildcats on Mississippi, 211 ; method of 
hunting, 517 ; grease from, 255; value 
of skins, 558. 

Wild rice (oats), described, 6t,6, 637 ; in 



ZAC 

Wild rice (continued). 
Minnesota lake region, 224; in Wis- 
consin, 639, 643 ; used as food, 252, 258, 
285, 296, 298, 636, 637 ; better than 
European rice, 298. 

Wild-rice Indians. See Menominees. 

William III (Great Britain), befriends 
Hennepin, xxxviii-xl, 7, 10, 365 ; 
books dedicated to, Ix, 3-1 1, 357-361. 

Wilmington (Del.), site of Swedish 
colony, 560. 

Wine, from wild grapes, 129, 151, 309, 
580, 623. 

Winnebago (Puant) Indians, origin of 
name, 308 ; habitat, 308. 

Winsor, Justin, bibliography of Henne- 
pin, xlvi, xlvii. 

Wisconsin, fertility of, 305, 306; Mar 
quette and Jolliet in, 636-644 ; Henne 
pin in, xxxi, 305-307 ; Historical Collec 
tions, 130, 640. See also Green Bay 
Fox-Wisconsin portage. Fox River 
St. Croix River, Wisconsin River, and 
Lake Michigan. 

Wolf Indians. See Mohicans. 

Wolves, in Ohio country, 630; strangle 
wild-goat, 129; accompany buffaloes, 
148 ; value of skins, 558. 

Woodchucks, in Canada, 516. 

Woodcocks, on Mississippi, 211. 

Yankton Indians, Siouan tribe, sun- 
worshippers, 214. 

Zacatecas, Mexican province, Spaniards 
in, 671. 



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